Vehicular movement on the strategic Munsiyari–Malari highway came to a complete halt on Monday afternoon after a massive landslide near Bhapakund in Chamoli district blocked the road. This critical route connects to the India-China border and is crucial for military and civilian movement alike.
The landslide occurred around 3:30 PM, damaging approximately 10 meters of the road. As a result, Indian Army and ITBP vehicles have been stranded. Due to the ongoing three-tier panchayat elections, campaign vehicles heading towards Niti Valley were also stuck on the opposite side of the landslide zone.
If the current spell of rain continues, restoring this highway will be a tough challenge for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is responsible for its maintenance. Jyotirmath SDM Chandrashekhar Vashishtha said that the BRO and the concerned agency have been directed to clear the debris and reopen the road at the earliest.
