Sasaram/Patna: The national highway on Wednesday linking Dehri-on-Sone and Sasaram remained choked by a massive traffic jam that has lasted five consecutive days. Authorities say about 7 km of vehicles remain stuck in a tailback, though at its worst the congestion stretched nearly 20 km.
The gridlock commenced on Saturday following heavy monsoon downpours, which flooded diversion routes and service lanes installed by a contractor overseeing the six-lane expansion. Potholes and waterlogging along the stretch have forced vehicles to crawl, exacerbating the bottleneck.
Truck drivers and travellers trapped on the route report mounting distress: many went without food or water for hours, while emergency and commercial vehicles faced severe delays. Businesses transporting perishable goods warn of spoilage and losses, and locals say ambulances have struggled to pass.
Critics say the root problem lies in flawed construction and lack of oversight. The contractor is accused of using substandard materials, and the diversions themselves were poorly maintained. Locals further allege that neither the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) nor toll or local officials have intervened meaningfully.
Until repairs are expedited and alternate routes cleared, the highway remains all but impassable, a disruption underscoring deeper concerns around infrastructure governance and accountability in the region.
