This Hill Station in Maharashtra Overwhelmed by Tourist Rush; 10 KM Traffic, Water and Food Crisis Reported!
This Hill Station in Maharashtra Overwhelmed by Tourist Rush; 10 KM Traffic, Water and Food Crisis Reported!
What was once a quiet, offbeat monsoon getaway in Maharashtra has suddenly found itself in the spotlight — and not for the best reasons. Chikhaldara, a serene hill station nestled in the Amravati district, witnessed an overwhelming and unexpected flood of tourists this past weekend, creating massive traffic snarls, food and water shortages, and a complete breakdown of basic facilities. Once known mainly to locals and nature enthusiasts, this lush green escape is now grappling with the burdens of sudden popularity.
During the Friday-to-Sunday weekend, over one lakh visitors made their way to Chikhaldara to soak in the monsoon beauty — mist-covered valleys, rolling green hills, and fresh forest air. But what awaited many of them wasn’t just nature’s charm. Instead, they found themselves stuck for hours in traffic jams, with vehicles lined up for nearly 10 kilometers, stretching all the way from Paratwada to Chikhaldara. Sunday saw the worst of it, with several tourists unable to even leave their cars before giving up and turning back.
Known as the “Garden of Vidarbha,” Chikhaldara is surrounded by dense forest, deep gorges, and majestic mountains. The monsoon transforms this region into a visual paradise, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure. In recent times, efforts have been made to add more excitement for visitors. Paramotoring activities have been introduced, allowing tourists to witness aerial views of Gawilgad Fort, Bhimkund, the surrounding forest, Skywalk Point, and the entire Chikhaldara town — all from 3,000 feet in the air. For adventure lovers, the thrill doesn’t stop there. Tourists are also taking on trekking routes and even cycling over Bhimkund waterfall, which is perched at an altitude of 3,500 feet — an experience that combines adrenaline with awe-inspiring natural beauty.
But the soaring popularity has brought unintended consequences. The local administration had earmarked the Ghatang route via Dhamangaon Gadhi as the designated travel path to ease the traffic load. However, with such a massive influx of tourists, the plan fell flat. From Saturday night to late Sunday, vehicles were seen crawling — or completely halted — along key routes like Paratwada, Motha, Nagar Parishad Naka, and Dhamangaon Gadhi. Police and forest department personnel struggled to manage the chaos, with long queues even forming at check posts early Sunday morning.
The chaos extended beyond inconvenience. The local population also suffered the fallout. In a particularly distressing incident, a funeral procession got trapped in traffic in the Dhamangaon Gadhi area, forcing grieving family members to walk nearly two kilometers on foot to complete the last rites. For many visitors too, the weekend turned into a test of patience — 4 to 5 hours stuck in their vehicles with no movement, only to be forced to return empty-handed due to overcrowding and lack of access.
Local businesses, while seeing an opportunity, sadly exploited the situation. In some spots, a single samosa was being sold for ₹50, while drinking water and usable toilets were nowhere in sight. Frustration among tourists quickly escalated. Across Paratwada, Akola, Dhamangaon Gadhi, and Betul Road, nearly every hotel, lodge, and roadside dhaba had boards flashing “House Full.” For those lucky enough to find a spot at a restaurant, waiting times stretched into hours — just to place an order or get served.
