Planning a hill trip to escape Delhi’s toxic AQI? Viral clip shows long jam at snow-less Rohtang Pass

A viral video circulating on social media has once again sparked debate over overcrowding in ecologically sensitive mountain regions, as residents of pollution-hit Delhi appear to be heading towards the hills in large numbers.

The video, shared on X by user Nikhil Saini, claims to show bumper-to-bumper traffic on a mountainous stretch, with long queues of vehicles crawling along a narrow road. The scene has surprised many, as it does not coincide with snowfall or a peak holiday period. Sharing the clip, Saini wrote, “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?” His remarks echoed the confusion and concern expressed by several users online.



The sudden rush to the hills has drawn attention due to its timing, aligning with a sharp deterioration in air quality in Delhi. On Tuesday, the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 380, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Residents endured days of thick smog that significantly reduced visibility and made breathing uncomfortable. While conditions marginally improved on Wednesday, Delhi’s AQI still stood at 329, remaining in the ‘very poor’ range.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that AQI readings across Delhi at 7 am on Wednesday were below the ‘severe’ level. However, several monitoring stations continued to report ‘very poor’ air quality, with some areas slipping into the ‘poor’ category.

The video has reignited discussions around the environmental impact of sudden tourist influxes into fragile mountain ecosystems, especially when driven by urban pollution crises rather than seasonal travel patterns.