Thursday, 11 July 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Badrinath National Highway in Chamoli remained blocked on Wednesday for several hours due to a massive landslide near the Patalganga Langsi tunnel. This is the third consecutive landslide on the highway since Tuesday morning. The traffic resumed on Tuesday after the boulders were removed from the highway near Joshimath within three to four hours after landslides. However, the landslide near the Patalganga Langsi tunnel on Wednesday was quite massive and could not be cleared for at least eight hours. It occurred around 12:15 PM.
As observed in the videos surfacing online, several tourists and commuters captured the incident on their mobile phones while others could be heard screaming and running for safety. Despite efforts by the agencies concerned including the police and the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) to remove the boulders, the route remained blocked till late on Wednesday. The agencies were still working to clear the highway when this correspondent was filing this report. The Chamoli superintendent of police Sarvesh Panwar said that the landslide often occurs on the Badrinath NH and the police have made all possible arrangements with the departments and agencies concerned to act accordingly during such situations. The police have also been updating about such situations through social media to ensure that pilgrims and other commuters can avoid the blocked route on time, he said.
