Uttarakhand: Part of mall road sinks into Naini lake

A major portion of Lower Mall Road in Nainital caved in and slid into the Naini lake, disrupting traffic in the popular hill station in Uttarakhand.

A 25-metre long and two-metre wide portion of the road collapsed into the lake on Saturday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela said.

However, it caused no harm to any vehicle or passer-by, he said.

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Rain over the past few days in Nainital could be the cause for the cave in, officials said.        

The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm prompting Ruhela, Tehsil Magistrate K K Arya and Circle Officer Vijay Thapa to rush to the site.         

Now Upper Mall Road is bearing all the traffic load. Traffic on this road was not earlier allowed between 6 pm and 8 pm, but the authorities decided to throw it open to vehicles after the incident.

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Executive Engineer PWD CS Negi said the repair of the damaged part of the road will take about six months to one year.

Commissioner Kumaon Division Rajiv Rautela said all departments and officers concerned have been directed to take immediate steps to start the repair work.