Gangotri highway blocked for hours due to landslides

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 18

The Gangotri Highway was blocked at several places today due to mudslides and boulders falling on the road, due to continuous heavy rains in Uttarkashi district.

The road near Badethi Chungi, Netala and at Silai Bend on Yamunotri Highway remained shut due to mudslides, leaving pilgrims and the local commuters stranded for several hours here.

The road at Badethi Chungi was blocked for traffic on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, as the falling boulders made it difficult for commuters to cross the road. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) employees cleared the road around 9 am on Monday but the road was blocked once again around 10 pm, making the efforts of the BRO futile. They resumed clearing the debris and could open the road after an hour.

The road at Netala was also blocked after landslide debris fell on it. It was opened after an effort of more than two hours.

The road near the Silai Bend on Yamunotri Highway also remained shut for several hours. Besides, roads, namely Aarakot- Chiva, Maneri-Jakhol, Mori-Nanaai, Barkot-Chakgaon, Kanseru and Chilot have remained shut for traffic due to mudslides for past several days. The Arakot motor road will open for traffic on August 20, the district officials said.

Public Works Department (PWD) officials also assured people that most of the roads would be cleared for traffic on Wednesday.