Himachal Pradesh: Night Traffic on NH-154A near Durgethi suspended due to landslide risk in Chamba
Shimla, July 23
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bharmaur in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district has prohibited the movement of all vehicular traffic on National Highway-154A near Durgethi during the night as continuous heavy rainfall has made the stretch highly vulnerable to landslides and falling rocks.
According to an order issued by the SDM, the traffic restriction will remain in force from 8:00 PM on July 23 to 7:00 AM on July 24, with only ambulances and emergency duty vehicles exempted from the ban.
The administration said the decision was taken after reports from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and field officials indicated that persistent rainfall had significantly increased the risk of sudden landslides, shooting stones and other weather-related hazards, making the highway unsafe for vehicular movement during night hours.
The order noted that the prevailing weather conditions do not permit continuous monitoring and assessment of the road throughout the night, making it difficult to ensure the safety of commuters.
Invoking powers under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the SDM directed that all vehicular traffic on the affected stretch remain suspended during the notified period in the interest of public safety.
The Bharmaur police have been instructed to deploy personnel on both sides of the Durgethi stretch to regulate traffic and enforce the restrictions. The NHAI, the Public Works Department, and the District Public Relations Office have also been directed to ensure compliance and publicise the order.
The district administration has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretch during the restricted hours and follow official advisories until weather conditions improve.
The southwest monsoon remains highly active over the state, with the IMD cautioning that intense rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone from Chamba, this is a welcome move. The rains this year have been relentless. But what about the people who get stranded on the other side? They should arrange for temporary shelters or alternative routes during the night.
Good call by the SDM. These mountain roads become death traps after dark in monsoon. 🙏 Hope NHAI takes this seriously and does some proper geo-tech assessment rather than just patching up every year.
What about the truck drivers who depend on this route for transporting goods? They'll lose a night's work. But I understand safety first. Just wish the authorities had given more prior notice so people could plan their journeys accordingly.
Sensible precaution. Having driven on NH-154A in daytime during monsoon, I can only imagine how treacherous it becomes at night with zero visibility and loose boulders. Only emergency vehicles should be allowed after dark. 👍
As an ex-pat working in India, I find these local safety measures quite effective actually. Back home in the UK, they'd shut the road completely for days. At least here they're giving a defined window for traffic and making exceptions for emergencies.
Every year same story - roads getting washed
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