Massive 15-Kilometer Gridlock Brings National Highway to Complete Standstill
A severe traffic congestion stretching nearly 15 kilometers brought movement on National Highway 922 to a complete halt for more than 24 hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and frustrated. The massive jam extended from Buxar Golambar to Dumraon, creating unprecedented disruption along this crucial transportation corridor.
The gridlock initially developed late Friday evening and continued through Saturday, with vehicles including buses, trucks, ambulances, and private cars remaining stuck for hours without movement. The situation became so critical that essential supplies were delayed and daily commutes between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were severely impacted.
Border Checks and Alleged Sand Trade Activities Blamed for Congestion
According to officials and local accounts, the traffic nightmare has been linked to intensified checking procedures at the Uttar Pradesh border and alleged sand trade activities in the region. The mining department at the UP border has been conducting manual verification of challans and documents for sand-laden trucks, significantly slowing down the movement process.
Local residents revealed that sand traffickers operating near the Buxar border frequently violate lane discipline norms, often pushing overloaded trucks into middle and opposite lanes in attempts to speed up their border clearance. Several truck drivers reportedly attempted to evade scrutiny by covering their number plates with cloth or using black strips and paint to conceal identification, further exacerbating the congestion situation.
Buxar SP Shubham Arya personally reached the UP-Bihar border on Friday night to take charge of traffic regulation efforts. He confirmed that the checking drive was being conducted following orders from the Ballia district magistrate and emphasized the urgent need for better coordination with UP Police and mining department officials to resolve the jam.
Commuters Endure Harrowing Experiences Amid Prolonged Stranding
Travelers caught in the massive jam described traumatic experiences of being stranded overnight without any assistance or relief. Ranjana Devi from Ara shared her ordeal, stating "We were stuck the entire night. Children were crying but no help came from anywhere."
Regular commuters expressed frustration over the recurring nature of such traffic disruptions. Manoj Kumar, a daily commuter from Dumraon, complained "Every few days, the same situation repeats itself. In the name of checking, they stop everyone for hours without considering public inconvenience."
The business community also voiced serious concerns about the economic impact. Trader Ashok Singh highlighted the broader consequences, saying "Ambulances can't move and essential goods can't reach markets. How long will this continue affecting public welfare and business activities?"
Administration Springs into Action with Emergency Measures
On Saturday, Buxar DM Bidya Nand Singh and SP Shubham Arya chaired a joint meeting to address the persistent congestion problems and find sustainable solutions. The officials directed the toll plaza manager to ensure that all vehicles pass in a single-lane queue to maintain order and prevent chaotic merging.
In a significant move to prevent future gridlocks, authorities instructed that any vehicle breaking down on the Veer Kunwar Singh Setu must be removed immediately. They also mandated round-the-clock crane availability near the roundabout to ensure quick clearance of disabled vehicles that could trigger similar traffic nightmares.
The administration acknowledged that many truck operators deliberately hide their number plates to avoid detection, leading to substantial revenue losses for the government and necessitating stricter enforcement measures. The ongoing manual checking of documents for sand-carrying vehicles continues to slow movement, with officials imposing spot fines on vehicles lacking proper paperwork.
