In a daring attempt to escape the holiday traffic nightmare in Himachal Pradesh, a tourist driving a Mahindra Thar boldly navigated the Chandra River in Lahaul and Spiti district. The video of this unconventional river crossing, aimed at beating the congested roads during the festive season, quickly went viral on social media.
As Christmas and New Year celebrations attract a surge of tourists to the picturesque hill station, the state grapples with severe traffic congestion. In response to the unconventional river stunt, Himachal Pradesh Police took swift action, issuing a challan to the SUV owner under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
“The district police have deployed personnel to ensure such offenses don’t recur,” stated Mayank Chaudhry, superintendent of police.
Notably, the water level of the Chandra River allowed the SUV to cross without significant difficulty, but the locals expressed discontent as the video circulated. In addition to the river escapade, drone surveillance was deployed in Lahaul and Spiti district to monitor the traffic situation. The footage revealed extensive lines of vehicles, rendering parking facilities scarce.
The chaotic scenes extended beyond traffic jams, with instances of risky car stunts causing a nuisance. A viral video captured a man driving with doors open, precariously hanging from one. The Kullu police took action, fining the individual ₹3,500 for endangering public safety amidst the holiday rush.
As the state authorities grapple with the surge in tourists, they are implementing measures to maintain order and safety on the roads during the festive season. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
