SHIMLA: Heavy traffic was witnessed on the Mandi-Kullu highway on Saturday as large numbers of tourists headed towards Manali after the conclusion of the five-day Shimla Summer Festival.

Roads from Shimla to popular destinations have been choked with vehicles while the rush of visitors is straining the state’s fragile ecology.

State govt admits tourism infrastructure buckling under pressure as Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala see pre-pandemic level hotel occupancy.