Daunne section of East-West highway blocked again

NAWALPUR: Vehicle movement along the Daunne stretch of the East-West Highway was suspended from 7 p.m. on Thursday due to rising water levels in the Binayi River following heavy rainfall.

Police said the suspension was necessary to prevent flood-related accidents. Authorities have stated that traffic will only reopen after thorough assessment of weather and road conditions.

The highway section has remained a danger zone and frequently closed over the past two weeks. Vehicles had briefly resumed travel from Tuesday until Thursday evening before the latest closure was imposed.

Earlier, the Road Division Office in Bharatpur had imposed time-based restrictions, banning the movement of goods and long-route vehicles along this stretch between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily.

The disruption has worsened since the collapse of the iron bridge over the Binayi River at Dumkibas in January.

A temporary diversion built in its place has now been rendered unusable due to even moderate rain, washing it away and cutting off safe passage.