By Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie/Dehradun, 22 Sep: The Dehradun-Mussoorie Road was once again blocked this morning, following a massive landslide near Galogi. A substantial volume of debris tumbled down the hillside, completely obstructing the road and triggered a prolonged traffic jam on both sides. Efforts to clear the debris were hampered when the JCB machine deployed for the task broke down, compounding delays and worsening the situation for stranded commuters. However, the road was cleared for traffic by the afternoon.
In response to the blockage, police personnel were forced to halt vehicles commuting from Dehradun towards Mussoorie at Kuthalgate.
A second JCB machine was requisitioned to expedite the clearance operation. The disruption left numerous tourists and local residents stranded, with traffic movement brought to a standstill.
Landslides have become a recurring menace along the Dehradun-Mussoorie and Mussoorie-Dhanaulti roads, particularly during the monsoon season. These stretches are getting increasingly prone to slope failures, posing persistent challenges to both the residents and the visitors, including international tourists. The frequency of such incidents has raised concerns about the long-term stability of these vital hill routes.
It may be recalled that last Monday, too, Mussoorie had witnessed widespread devastation due to incessant rainfall. The Dehradun-Mussoorie Road suffered extensive damage at multiple locations, and a British-era bridge situated above the Shiv Temple was severely compromised. Consequently, the road remained closed for nearly two days. In a swift response, a bailey bridge was erected to restore connectivity, facilitating the evacuation of approximately two thousand tourists who had been stranded in Mussoorie due to the deluge.
It is worth reminding here that the impact of last week’s heavy rainfall has extended beyond the main road, affecting several adjoining villages where the scars of destruction remain visible. Many families lost their homes and belongings in the calamity. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi recently visited the affected areas in and around Mussoorie to assess the damage and interact with the victims. During the visit, the Chief Minister assured the public that the government would extend all possible assistance to those affected.
Meanwhile the residents have called for an urgent need for long-term mitigation strategies and robust infrastructure planning along the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road.
