Delhi–Kolkata highway nightmare: Vehicles reportedly stuck for four days after heavy rains

A never-ending line of vehicles, stretching for several kilometres, has brought a major section of the Delhi–Kolkata highway in Bihar to a standstill. For the past four days, hundreds of trucks, buses, and cars have been stuck bumper to bumper, with little sign of movement, or relief.

According to an NDTV report, the chaos began after torrential rains hit Rohtas district last Friday. The heavy downpour flooded diversions and service lanes created by a six-lane construction company along National Highway 19. The result? Potholes, slushy stretches, and severe waterlogging that made driving almost impossible.

What was once a busy highway has now turned into a long stretch of stagnant traffic and flooded roads. Vehicles, especially trucks, are struggling to stay stable on the slippery surface, as the congestion worsens by the hour. Covering even a few kilometres now takes several hours, with the jam reportedly extending all the way to Aurangabad, nearly 65 km from Rohtas.

Commuters and truckers say they have seen no visible effort from the local administration to clear the gridlock. Neither the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) nor the construction company has stepped in to manage the situation.

“In the past 30 hours, we have travelled only seven kilometres. We pay tolls and taxes, yet we are stuck here with no help. There are no NHAI officials or local authorities on the ground,” a truck driver told NDTV.

Another driver said he had been stuck for two days with no food or water. “We are hungry and thirsty. Even moving a few kilometres takes hours,” he said.

The massive jam has caused a ripple effect. Drivers carrying perishable goods fear heavy losses, while ambulances and emergency services struggle to pass through. Pedestrians and tourists are also facing severe hardship, with many vehicles stranded without supplies or rest stops nearby.

Inputs from agencies