'Motorists face difficulty as two highways closed after landslides in Shimla'

Motorists in this district faced problems as the Ambala-Khab national highway 22 was closed at Shkriala on Mehli Malyana section and Theog-Rohru state highway number 10 was closed at Patti Dhank on Kotkhai-Kharapathar section after landslides today.

Commuters were advised to take alternative routes to reach their destinations as it may take two-three days to clear the roads, Shimla Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parveer Thakur said.

Truckers will be allowed to cross Shimla only during night hours due to the closure of NH 22 at Shkriala on Mehli Malyana section, he said. Trucks would be allowed from Dhalli to IGMC and then to Lakkar Bazar, he added.

Trucks from Ghannahatti and Shoghi sides will have to go via Tuttikandi bifurcation to ISBT, Khalini Chowk, Chhota Shimla and then to Dhalli only during night hours during the closure of NH 22, he added.

Similarly traffic has been diverted due to road closure at Patti Dhank on Kotkhai Kharapathar section as it may take time to reopen it, he said adding that small vehicles would move via Tau, both from Kharapathar and Kotkhai.

Heavy vehicles have to wait for clearance or may move via Narkanda Tikker, he added.