Badrinath Highway Reopens After Landslide: Pedestrians and Polling Parties Resume Journey

The Badrinath National Highway in Uttarakhand, blocked by landslide debris, reopened for pedestrians. SDRF personnel assisted pilgrims and polling parties. Chamoli DM noted polling groups were airlifted due to the blockage.

The Badrinath National Highway in Uttarakhand, previously obstructed by heavy debris from a landslide in Bhanerpani, Joshimath, was reopened for pedestrian passage on Thursday afternoon. In a video shared on X, the SDRF Uttarakhand Police showed personnel aiding pilgrims and polling teams in navigating the affected zone.

'District Chamoli—on 11th July 2024, Badrinath National Highway was opened for pedestrians and polling party, the passengers are being helped safely to cross the road by the SDRF jawans,' SDRF Uttarakhand Police conveyed on X. The road had been blocked earlier on Wednesday following a landslide near the Patal Ganga Langsi tunnel.

Recent heavy rain across parts of Uttarakhand triggered multiple landslides, leading to the highway being blocked by rubble at several points. Previously, on July 5, traffic along this vital route was disrupted for hours due to debris blocking the road at two locations in Chamoli district.

Meanwhile, Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana also took to X to inform that due to the road blockage in Joshimath, polling parties from remote stations including Drongiri, Jumma, Kosha, and Arudhi Patudi, along with their polling material, were airlifted from Joshimath to Gopeshwar.

(With inputs from agencies.)