Overturned Truck on NH-44 Near Phillaur Causes Major Traffic Disruption and Brief Rail Halt
A significant road accident on National Highway-44 near Phillaur in the early hours of Sunday led to severe traffic disruption and briefly affected rail services. The incident occurred around 3:30 AM, when a heavily loaded container truck traveling from Jalandhar towards Ludhiana went out of control after its driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel.
Accident Details and Immediate Impact
While crossing a bridge, the vehicle overturned and landed across the carriageway, completely blocking both sides of the highway. This resulted in a long traffic snarl stretching several kilometers, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill for hours. Authorities from the road safety force and railway police rushed to the scene to manage the situation.
Complications from Railway Overhead Wires
The bridge where the mishap occurred had high-voltage railway overhead wires installed, which added to the complexity of the incident. The impact caused parts of the truck to hang dangerously close to the railway lines, prompting authorities to briefly halt train movement on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana section as a precautionary measure to ensure safety.
Clearance Efforts and Challenges
Two hydraulic cranes were deployed to remove the overturned container and clear the highway. However, clearance efforts were stalled due to the heavy load of the container, making the operation more time-consuming. Despite these efforts, traffic movement remained severely affected for hours, with normalcy taking time to restore.
No casualties were reported in the incident, which is a relief given the severity of the accident. The authorities worked diligently to address the blockage and ensure minimal long-term impact on transportation in the area.
