5 km long traffic jam as villagers on rampage block Himmatnagar – Shamlaji national highway

May 24, 2024
Gujarat North Gujarat Road Journey

Himmatnagar: Ahmedabad – Udaipur national highway – 48 was blocked by local villagers of Gamdi village after the death of a villager in a road accident today morning. The traffic jam was as long as 5 kms. Thousands of passengers were stuck in this traffic on Shamlaji – Himmatnagar highway in the morning, reportedly after 8 am. The villagers burned tyres after a villager’s death.

Police reached the spot to convince the villagers to let the traffic move. However the mob of villagers was adamant not to reopen the highway. The villagers also completely burned a Police vehicle and pelted stones over other Police vehicles. Police had to lob tear gas shells to reopen the traffic. Traffic was diverted towards Ranasan and Gambhoi meanwhile.

Some passengers even led the attention of the Minister of State for Home over Twitter (now X). Large number of commuters on Ahmedabad – Shamlaji – Udaipur – Shrinathji route had to face tough time in extreme heat in the traffic, about 9 km away from Himmatnagar towards Shamlaji due to this blockade. After the police’s efforts, the traffic was cleared after one and half to two hours. Police had to called reinforcement to clear the mobs.

Villagers claimed that an over-bridge was approved at this spot but the work was not started. NHAI officials said the bridge tender was assigned but as the works didn’t start in the prescribed time-limit, the contractor was blacklisted. The contractor however challenged the decision in the High Court and got a stay which was vacated on 14 May, after which the tender process has been restarted. DeshGujarat

#highways #himmatnagar

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