Gridlock Grips NH-44 as Administrative Oversight Sparks Public Outcry in Lalitpur
A massive overnight traffic jam on NH-44 near Kelgua intersection in Lalitpur has left hundreds of commuters stranded, sparking intense public backlash against NHAI for alleged negligence. While local police and administration work to clear the gridlock on Sagar Road, the incident highlights critical gaps in national highway management and emergency response.
The situation at the Kelgua crossing has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and stranded travelers alike, many of whom spent the night in their vehicles without access to basic amenities. While the specific catalyst for the initial blockage remains under investigation, the resulting gridlock has effectively severed smooth movement along this critical corridor. Local stakeholders have pointed the finger directly at NHAI, accusing the agency of indifference and a failure to maintain the operational efficiency required for a high-traffic national highway. The absence of a swift, coordinated response in the early hours of the congestion is being cited as a primary reason for the escalation of the crisis.
In response to the mounting chaos, local police and district administrative officials were deployed to the site to initiate traffic management measures and clear the bottleneck. Despite these efforts to manually direct the overflow and restore order, the sheer volume of accumulated vehicles has made the recovery process painstakingly slow. Law enforcement personnel are currently working to prioritize the movement of emergency services and light vehicles, though the backlog continues to pose a significant challenge to regional connectivity.
This incident underscores the fragility of critical infrastructure management and the immediate economic and logistical impact of highway disruptions. Beyond the immediate inconvenience to commuters, the prolonged stagnation on NH-44 serves as a stark reminder of the need for better inter-agency coordination and real-time monitoring by highway authorities. As authorities struggle to normalize traffic flow, the event has reignited a broader debate regarding the accountability of national infrastructure bodies in ensuring the seamless movement of goods and people across the country’s primary transit routes.

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