By Arun Pratap Singh
Chamoli, 18 Dec: A major landslide had occurred during the monsoon season on the Badrinath Highway in Chamoli district, covering a 400-metre stretch with debris. At the time, the ongoing Chardham Yatra necessitated swift action by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to clear enough debris to allow one-way traffic from the affected stretch on an interim basis and much of the debris has remained on the road till now. Now, a full-scale debris clearance operation has begun to ensure unobstructed traffic flow for the upcoming yatra season.
The debris removal process began today at Nandprayag on the Badrinath Highway. The operation is expected to take three weeks and is expected to conclude on 7 January 2025. During this period, vehicles will not be allowed on this route, and traffic has been diverted for next 21 days.
The traffic diversion plan to accommodate the closure would incorporate several diversions. Vehicles travelling towards Jyotirmath (Joshimath) from Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag will be rerouted via Nandprayag Bagad on the Saikot-Kothiyalsain-Chamoli road. This will necessitate an additional travel of 10 kilometres. On other hand, vehicles coming from Jyotirmath and Pipalkoti will use the same route via Chamoli Bazaar. Tourists and pilgrims on the winter Chardham Yatra will also need to take the diverted route. Villagers from Pursadi, Bajpur, and Maithana will also need to undertake longer commutes, with Pursadi residents covering an additional 16 kilometres. Pursadi village is located approximately 2 km from the landslide site.
The work on debris clearance will be taken up daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NHIDCL has received approval from the district administration for a 21-day closure to carry out the work. The District Magistrate, Chamoli, has instructed the SP and SDM, Chamoli, to ensure smooth traffic flow on the alternate routes.
For the past four months, temporary one-way traffic arrangements were in place, causing significant inconvenience for pilgrims, tourists, and locals. The landslide during the monsoon had also endangered a high-tension electricity tower near the site. The District Magistrate has ordered urgent safety measures to protect the tower.
NHIDCL’s comprehensive debris removal efforts aim to restore the highway fully, minimising disruptions in the future. The local administration is working to ensure systematic traffic management during this period.
