16-wheeler truck stuck on under-construction highway in Alipurduar, traffic hit for hours

A 16-wheeler truck travelling from Assam to Andhra Pradesh got stuck on an under-construction national highway in Falakata, Alipurduar, after the driver took a wrong route late Wednesday night. The incident occurred on the Falakata–Salsalabari stretch, leading to traffic disruption in the area on Thursday morning.

The truck, carrying goods from Guwahati, was supposed to head towards the Madarihat Asian Highway. However, the driver mistakenly turned towards Falakata. Around 3 am, while attempting to give way to an oncoming vehicle near the Balurghat area, one of the truck’s wheels sank into loose soil piled along the roadside.

At the time, dumpers were engaged in soil-filling work, which had significantly narrowed the road. Despite repeated efforts, the driver was unable to move the vehicle. He later went to Falakata in search of assistance, but no private earthmover was available.

An earthmover from the National Highways Authority of India eventually reached the spot and, after about half an hour of effort, the truck was pulled out. While traffic movement was minimal at night, vehicle flow increased in the morning, causing a temporary halt on both sides. Normal traffic was restored soon after the truck was removed, and the vehicle resumed its journey.