Night traffic halted due to landslide, stone fall on Pithoragarh-Tanakpur NH 9
Night traffic halted due to landslide, stone fall on Pithoragarh-Tanakpur NH 9
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Sept. 17
In view of continuous shooting of stones from the hillside along the strategically vital Pithoragarh-Tanakpur road, the Pithoragarh district administration has restricted night-time traffic on the route with effect from today.
“Keeping the safety of passengers travelling on the road amidst continuous stonefall, we have directed vehicle owners not to ply vehicles between 6 pm and 6 am for at least 15 days. However, relaxation may be given during this period depending on the weather conditions,” said Jitendra Verma, SDM, Pithoragarh.
The administration has also initiated a long-term plan to make the vulnerable stretch near Ghat Bend on NH-9 safer and free from recurring landslides and stonefall. A multi-layered protection plan for the stretch has been submitted to the Government of India through the National Highway authorities, he said.
Pithoragarh District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Bhupendra Singh Mahar said traffic to Tanakpur, Lohaghat and Almora continues to ply cautiously despite the continuous stonefall at the vulnerable spot.
“The debris, boulders and other material falling from the hillside are being cleared immediately with the help of two JCB machines deployed by the National Highway authorities, allowing traffic to continue on the route,” Mahar said.
Stonefall and debris movement at the spot began on September 1 following heavy rains in the region and have continued intermittently since then.
