21-hr jam has Manali tourists on road for whole night, admn adds to worries

Mahesh Chander Sharma

Sundernagar, June 3

Thousands of commuters had to pass the whole night on Chandigarh-Manali National Highway 21 following a heavy traffic snarl-up at Jarol near Sundernagar. A trailer-truck, carrying heavy machinery, had a breakdown on the road, halting the movement of vehicles on both sides.

Long queues of vehicles were seen up to a few kilometres from Jarol. It took more than 21 hours for the authorities to clear the spot for traffic.

According to SDM Rajeev Kumar, Sundernagar, the front axle rod of a truck transporting heavy machinery for the four-lane project of the road was broken around 6 pm last night. It caused heavy traffic blockage. The truck was removed from the spot around 3 pm and now the movement of the traffic was smooth.

The SDM said the traffic was diverted to Bobar-Sundernagar and Salwana-Dehar-Barmana roads and policemen were deputed to guide the traffic.

However, the vehicles, diverted to these two roads, were stranded again. The angry commuters blamed the police and the administration for poor handling of the situation. They said administration officials and policemen aggravated the problems. They knew that these link roads were narrow, still they allowed vehicles from both sides, causing traffic jam again.

The SDM said the jam on the link roads was due to confusion and a communication gap. He said he would seek a detailed report on it and the guilty would face action.

Truck breakdown led to jam 

• The front axle rod of a truck, transporting heavy machinery for the four-lane project of the road, broke around 6 pm last evening
• It caused heavy traffic jam. The truck was removed from the spot around 3 pm and the movement of the traffic was restored. 

Guilty face action: SDM

• The traffic was diverted to the Bobar-Sundernagar and Salwana-Dehar-Barmana roads
• The vehicles were stuck again
• The agitated commuters blamed the police and administration
• They said they knew that these link roads were narrow, still they allowed vehicles from both sides, causing traffic jam again
• The SDM blamed it on communication gap, but promised action.