Daijiworld Media Network - Bihar

Bihar, Oct 8: A massive traffic jam has brought a section of the Delhi-Kolkata National Highway (NH 19) in Bihar to a standstill, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for the last four days. The congestion, stretching nearly 65 km to Aurangabad from Rohtas, shows no signs of relief.

The gridlock follows torrential rains in Rohtas district last Friday, which flooded diversions and service lanes constructed by the six-lane highway contractor. Potholes and waterlogging have caused vehicles to slip, turning a few kilometres of travel into hours-long journeys.

Truck drivers caught in the jam described dire conditions. Praveen Singh, a driver, said, “In the past 30 hours, we have travelled only 7 kilometres. Despite paying tolls, road taxes, and other expenses, we still face hours of traffic jams. Neither NHAI personnel nor the local administration are visible on the road.”

Sanjay Singh, another trucker, added, “We have been stuck in traffic for two days. We are hungry and thirsty and in a miserable state. Even covering a few kilometres is taking hours.”
The traffic congestion is also affecting businesses and emergency services. Drivers transporting perishable goods fear losses, while ambulances, emergency services, and tourist vehicles struggle to navigate the blocked highway.

Attempts to contact officials have been futile. NHAI Project Director Ranjit Verma declined to comment when asked about the ongoing road blockage, highlighting the lack of visible intervention by authorities.

With no immediate measures in sight, commuters and transporters remain stranded, facing growing frustration and economic losses on one of India’s busiest national highways.