Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 21 Jul: The Public Works Department (PWD) has reopened the Mussoorie-Dehradun road to small vehicles after strenuous efforts following a massive landslide near ‘Pani Wala Mod’. However, traffic has not yet fully normalised. Long traffic jams persisted throughout the day due to narrow road sections, continuous debris fall, and chaotic traffic flow, causing immense inconvenience to tourists and locals. A large section of the road had been damaged by the landslide, prompting the district administration to close the route for safety reasons.
Debris was cleared using JCB machines late Monday evening, and the road was opened for small vehicles on Tuesday morning; however, the high volume of vehicles and restricted one-way movement led to traffic jams stretching for several kilometres.
According to locals, the situation worsened as many drivers attempted to overtake by forming two or three lanes on the road. Many travellers remained stuck in the jam for one and a half to two hours. Commuters reported that traffic from both directions came to a complete standstill several times over a half-hour period while JCBs continued clearing the road.
With the main route blocked, a large number of vehicles diverted to the alternative Kimadi route, but traffic there was also disrupted by landslides and debris. Efforts were made to clear the route using JCBs, after which traffic was gradually restored.
Following the incident, local citizens and social organisations have raised serious questions about the quality of the road construction. People point out that the road and safety infrastructure, on which lakhs of rupees were spent just a few months ago, failed during the very first spell of heavy rain. Many have demanded a technical investigation into the entire matter and the fixing of accountability.
Local residents believe that rainwater flowing onto the roads and clogged culverts are major contributors to this problem. They state that the drainage system has been neglected for years, causing rainwater to directly damage the road surface and hillside slopes. People noted that repairs are carried out after every disaster, yet permanent preventive measures are overlooked.
Despite the road reopening, the situation at the ‘Pani Wala Mod’ is not considered entirely safe. Locals have complained that small cargo vehicles and pickup trucks are still passing through this vulnerable stretch, even though the road structure remains compromised. They have urged the administration to prioritise safety and enforce strict traffic controls.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in the coming days. Consequently, the administration, PWD, and police face the significant challenge of keeping the route safe and protecting travellers from traffic jams and accidents. While the road has reopened, concerns regarding landslides, traffic congestion, and safety persist.
