Viral Video Leads to Fine: Delhi SUV Driver Penalized for Chandra River Stunt

In Manali, a daring motorist driving a Delhi-registered SUV through the icy Chandra River in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley to evade a Christmas Day traffic jam has been identified and fined Rs 3,500, according to a senior police official.

Superintendent of Police Mayank Chaudhry cautioned tourists to appreciate nature, respect local traditions, and avoid activities such as mixing drinking with driving, smoking in public places, stunt driving, and haphazard parking.

The reckless SUV, identified through CCTV footage, faced penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The incident, captured in a viral video, drew criticism from locals, and the police aim to enforce fines for negligent driving.

Traffic congestion has been reported between Manali and Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district due to increased tourist influx through the Atal Tunnel Rohtang. The unregulated movement of tourists in Lahaul is impacting the fragile ecosystem and its people, with environmental degradation and waste accumulation.

The Lahaul Valley, cut off by heavy snowfall from December onwards, faces extreme cold with temperatures reaching minus 15-20 degrees Celsius. The predominantly rural population engages in farming, cultivating cash crops like peas and potatoes. The seed potatoes from Lahaul are highly sought after in states like Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

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