As Delhi continues to grapple with dangerous air pollution, many residents seem to be heading to the hills in search of cleaner air. On Tuesday, the national capital recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 380, falling under the “very poor” category.
In this context, a video showing massive traffic jams near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh has gone viral on social media, raising questions about the increasing pressure on fragile mountain ecosystems.
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The clip was shared on X by Nikhil Saini, who posted pictures of a long line of vehicles stuck on the Rohtang Pass route. “Fleeing toxic AQI or what? This jam isn’t on some city road, it’s the Rohtang Pass. No snow yet. No holidays. Still so massive traffic. So what exactly is drawing everyone there?” he wrote
The post quickly gained popularity, reaching more than 3,000 views and prompting a wave of reactions from users concerned about tourism and environmental damage.
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Some users blamed the rush of misguided social media content, while others pointed the finger at a lack of crowd management. “Rohtang is the new Karol Bagh,” quipped one user, comparing the mountain pass to a crowded city market. Another commented that the scene resembled busy city roads rather than a Himalayan landscape.
Watch the viral video here:
Several users also expressed environmental concerns, warning that the influx of vehicles could worsen pollution levels in the hills. “If cars continue to throng the hill stations, AQI will reach the same level there as well,” one post said, urging the authorities to restrict the entry of tourists during the peak season. Another user commented: “Mountains don’t call anyone – they scream for help.”
Himachal Pradesh remains one of India’s most popular winter destinations, especially during Christmas and New Year. Hill stations like Manali, Shimla and Dharamshala usually see a surge in visitors during this time, driven by snow and festive celebrations.
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However, officials and environmentalists repeatedly warn that unregulated tourism and traffic congestion pose a serious risk to the region’s ecology.
The viral video from the Rohtang Pass has again highlighted the need for better traffic regulation, sustainable tourism practices and stricter enforcement in ecologically sensitive zones.
How many people die each year due to air pollution?
A 2024 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health estimated that long-term exposure to air pollution contributes to around 1.5 million deaths annually in India.
The University of Chicago’s 2025 Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report further highlights air pollution as the country’s most serious public health risk and estimates that it has reduced life expectancy in India by 3.5 years.
According to the report, 46% of India’s population lives in areas where air quality exceeds the national PM2.5 limit of 40 µg/m³. The Delhi-NCR region is among the worst affected, with residents facing an estimated loss of life expectancy of 4.74 years.
If air quality improved to meet the World Health Organization’s stricter PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, people in cleaner parts of the country could gain up to 9.4 months of life extension. For residents of Delhi-NCR, adherence to WHO standards could potentially prevent an estimated 8.2-year reduction in life expectancy.
