Crack on P’kula-Shimla highway

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, September 24

Heavy rain lashed Panchkula throughout the day and by 5 pm, a crack appeared on the Amravati-Kalka stretch of the Panchkula-Shimla highway. The traffic had to be diverted due to which the four-lane road road virtually turned into a two-lane stretch. This slowed down the pace of the traffic. 

“As soon as information was received, a team of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rushed to the spot to repair it,” said Kalka SDM Richa Rathi. 

 The SDM said they did not know the reason behind the crack and would take stock of the situation once the road was repaired. “The crack appeared on a 150-metre stretch. We did not want to take the risk. So, we diverted the traffic,” she said.

Heavy rain increased the level of the Kaushalya river, which flows alongside the road. As the water level rose, trees along the shore fell. Soon, a crack started appearing on the road. The flood gates of the dam were opened, which is suspected to be the reason behind the damage.  

Entry into rivers banned   

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Jorwal issued orders under Section 144 of the CrPC banning entry into rivers and rivulets. The orders will remain effective till November 22. 

According to the orders, the entry has been banned at the Mallah bridge over the Kaushalya, Sector 21, the Ghaggar bridge in Sector 21, the Ghaggar bridge at Majri Chowk and Burj Kotian, Dhiwanawala, Chandi, Thapli, Balu Thapli,  Barun and Dhamala villages, besides several rivulets, including the Tangri at Barwala, Khetpurali and the Morni T-point.