Mass Exodus from Delhi: Thousands Flee Toxic Air Creating Traffic Crisis at Rohtang Pass

Traffic congestion has reached alarming levels near Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh as Delhi residents flee the capital's deteriorating air quality. With Christmas approaching, a thick smog blanket over Delhi has prompted many to seek refuge in the mountains, resulting in extraordinary traffic jams in Himachal Pradesh.

A viral video shared on social media platform X shows an extensive line of vehicles—both private and commercial—at a complete standstill near Rohtang Pass. The footage was captioned, "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?"

Social media reactions to the traffic situation have been swift and critical. One user commented, "AQI so bad people treating Rohtang like it's the last level of Earth." Another expressed environmental concerns, stating, "Horrible as ever. Mountains are not calling anyone. They are screaming for help and want to avoid all cars." Some predicted that the influx of vehicles would eventually compromise the mountain region's air quality as well.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of nearly 300 on Wednesday, placing it firmly in the 'very poor' category. The Delhi-NCR region has experienced a significant deterioration in air quality following Diwali, with conditions frequently oscillating between "very poor" and "severe" classifications.

Several areas in the capital have registered AQI values exceeding 400, levels considered hazardous to human health. This dangerous air quality results from a combination of stagnant weather conditions, minimal wind speeds, and dense smog blanketing the region. Thousands of Delhi residents are experiencing adverse health effects, including eye irritation, respiratory difficulties, and headaches.

The situation has sparked political controversy as well. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's initiative to deploy mist sprayers at pollution hotspots faced criticism from former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who accused the government of "hiding" pollution data and questioned Gupta's comparison of AQI to temperature.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI readings above 300 are classified as "very poor," while those exceeding 400 fall into the "severe" category. In response to the crisis, authorities have deployed 305 mist sprayers across nine identified pollution hotspots throughout the city.