Severe Traffic Jam on Badrinath National Highway Near Joshimath

Traffic Standstill on Badrinath Highway

A significant traffic jam has occurred on the Badrinath National Highway 7, close to Joshimath in Uttarakhand, causing a near-complete halt to vehicle movement. To manage the situation, local law enforcement and administrative personnel have been deployed. To alleviate the heavy traffic, authorities have implemented a one-way vehicle system, allowing cars to pass every 30 minutes through an emergency token-based gate system.

Thousands of Pilgrims Arriving Daily

Surjeet Singh Panwar, the Superintendent of Police in Chamoli, provided an update on the situation, stating, "Currently, approximately 30,000 to 35,000 pilgrims are traveling to the Shri Badrinath Dham daily, with an additional 5,000 to 10,000 heading towards Hemkund Sahib. The influx of these large numbers has significantly increased pressure on our national and state highways."

Road Conditions Deteriorated Due to Land Subsidence

Discussing the road conditions, the SP noted that a stretch of about 10 kilometers between Joshimath, Marwadi, and Vishnuprayag is in very poor condition. A natural disaster a few years ago, which caused land subsidence in the Joshimath area, severely impacted the road infrastructure. Given these infrastructural challenges and the narrow roads, the administration had to make this crucial decision.

Pilgrims Can Wait While Enjoying the View

To ensure smooth traffic flow, the police have established a well-organized one-way traffic system. A structured gate system has been set up near the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath. The Superintendent of Police added, "Since this gate system is located right next to the temple, pilgrims can easily stop and wait for their turn while also having the opportunity to visit the sacred temple. Our traffic plan is proving to be very effective on the ground."