The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, September 14, 2003, Chandigarh, India

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Traffic disrupted on Kalka-Shimla highway
Our Correspondent

Solan, September 13
Commuters plying on the Kalka-Shimla national highway had a tough time last evening as the traffic remained disrupted for more than seven hours due to the massive landslide. Though the traffic was diverted through the Jangeshu road to Kasauli but the delay in traversing additional 35 km delayed the journey by hours together.

The debris which continued to fall even today was being cleared with the help of JCB machines. Traffic was partially disrupted today and vehicles from both sides were alternately allowed to pass for a period of 15 minutes.

A large number of vehicles, where about 15,000 vehicles ply every day, was seen stranded even today. About 10 to 15 feet of debris blocked the road obstructing the flow of traffic last evening. Officials, including the additional commissioner, Mr B.L. Yadav, the DSP, Mr Surinder Verma, who reached the spot said it was a tough job to chanellise the uphill traffic via Kasauli and Mallah.

Police officials who spent the wholenight in guiding the traffic stated that the drivers who were not conversant with the alternate routes had difficulty in driving through the narrow routes.