Massive 4-Day Traffic Jam on Delhi-Kolkata Highway: Vehicles Move Only 5km in 24 Hours

The Delhi-Kolkata national highway 19 has been experiencing an enormous traffic congestion spanning several kilometers.

A seemingly endless line has formed, with hundreds of vehicles positioned almost bumper-to-bumper, stranded on a section of the Delhi-Kolkata highway in Bihar for four consecutive days. Unfortunately, relief appears distant.

Following heavy rainfall in Bihar's Rohtas district last Friday, the diversions and service lanes constructed by the six-lane development company at various points along National Highway 19 became submerged.

Numerous potholes have emerged across these roads, and the accumulation of water has caused vehicles to slide, exacerbating the traffic congestion hourly.

Even traversing a few kilometers requires hours. The traffic jam clogging the highway has now extended to Aurangabad, approximately 65 km from Rohtas.

There seems to be no intervention from local authorities to alleviate this massive traffic situation. Neither the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) nor the road construction company have implemented any remedial measures.

The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that vehicles can only advance about five kilometers in 24 hours.

"In the past 30 hours, we have only covered 7 kilometers. Despite paying tolls, road taxes, and additional fees, we continue to endure hours in traffic jams. There is no sign of NHAI personnel or local administration on the road," stated Praveen Singh, a truck driver caught in the congestion.

"We have been trapped in traffic for two days. We are hungry, thirsty, and in a deplorable condition. Even moving a short distance takes hours," reported Sanjay Singh, another truck driver.

The traffic jam has also impacted commercial operations. Drivers transporting perishable food items are alarmed by the extensive congestion and concerned about the deterioration of their goods. Pedestrians, ambulances, emergency services, and tourist vehicles are also suffering from the traffic paralysis.

When NHAI Project Director Ranjit Verma was questioned about the road obstruction, he declined to provide comments on camera.

(With inputs from Ranjan Singh Rohtas)