Video: Rohtang Pass traffic jam leaves internet stunned with no long-weekend in sight

The clip shows a road choked with traffic, sparking concerns about the environmental strain on Himachal Pradesh’s fragile hill ecosystem.

Amid Delhi’s worsening air quality, a video circulating online claims that residents are already heading to the hills ahead of the holiday season. The clip shows a road choked with traffic, sparking concerns about the environmental strain on Himachal Pradesh’s fragile hill ecosystem.

The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows vehicles stuck in traffic that is over a distance of roughly 10 kilometers. Hundreds of cars remain in queue in slow-moving traffic even though snowfall hasn’t yet begun and year-end vacations are still a week away.

Escape from toxic AQI or what ? 😅 This jam isn’t on some city road, it’s Rohtang Pass. No snowfall yet. No vacations. Still such massive traffic. So what exactly is pulling everyone up there? pic.twitter.com/cc21YIujVP

— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) December 16, 2025

The caption shared along with the clip reads: “Escape from toxic AQI or what? This jam isn’t on some city road, it’s Rohtang Pass. No snowfall yet. No vacations. Still such massive traffic. So what exactly is pulling everyone up there?"

Since being shared online, the post attracted over a million views and triggered conversations about overcrowding and environmental impact in tourist spots.

One user commented, “The mountains look less like a mountain pass, more like a road in Gurugram or Greater Noida West – full of dirt only."

Another jokingly said, “Rohtang is the new Karol Bagh," likening the pass to a crowded city market.

“Maybe we should stop these people at these locations itself and make them plant trees and clean the mountains. That might reduce this so-called ‘wanderlustism’ and actually help the mountains," someone else suggested.

Others shared their observations on the irony of the situation with replies like “When fresh air becomes the new tourist attraction" and “They are heading to improve the AQI of Rohtang."

“Horrible as ever. Mountains are not calling anyone. They are screaming for help and want to avoid all cars," an individual remarked while a person added, “Hope the AQI at Rohtang Pass remains within safe limits."