The weekend getaway to the Himalayan retreats turned into a travel nightmare for tourists heading to Uttarakhand as long traffic jams choked the roads leading into Nainital.
As the lake city brimmed with visitors arriving during holiday on account for Eid and the weekend break, traffic snarls stretched for kilometres, leaving vacationers stuck for hours.
From the Mall Road to Naini Lake, the town’s major attractions were packed with tourists soaking in the cool weather and serene views.
Outside the city, chaos unfolded as visitors faced hours-long delays as vehicles crawled along the roads, particularly near Bhowali, Kaladhungi, and Haldwani.
By the afternoon, all major parking zones — Flats, Metropole, BD Pandey, Anda Market, and Sukhatal — were filled to capacity.
The Uttarakhand Police, anticipating congestion, enforced a special traffic plan, stopping vehicles without hotel bookings at the Rusi Bypass and ferrying visitors to the town via shuttle.
But as over 2,500 vehicles carrying more than 10,000 tourists poured into the city, the system cracked under the sheer weight of the weekend rush.
Jim Corbett Gridlock Adds To Woes
The traffic wasn’t limited to Nainital alone. A 10-km-long jam clogged the National Highway near Jim Corbett National Park, adding to the frustration of travellers heading to or from the popular wildlife destination. The absence of traffic personnel worsened the situation, with tourists stranded and tempers running high.
The gridlock also severely affected pilgrims en route to Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham. Vehicles remained stuck for hours near the Bhawani area, turning a typically one-hour journey into a four-hour ordeal.
VIP Movement, Overflow Of Cars Cripple Access
Adding to the congestion, VIP movement through the region delayed the traffic flow even further. As the morning progressed, police resorted to directing excess vehicles to Rusi One and Rusi Two bypass parking areas, attempting to maintain access to the city using shuttle services.
Still, the volume of visitors far exceeded the town’s capacity to manage, leading to gridlocks across arterial routes from early morning through late evening.
Despite the traffic chaos, Nainital’s charm held steady for those who made it through. The town saw sunny skies in the morning, followed by clouds and a cool breeze later in the day. According to the meteorological department, the maximum temperature hovered around 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to 14 degrees Celsius.
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