Sunil Chadha
Bilaspur: A massive landslide struck a private bus near Bhalughat (Bhallu Bridge) in the Jhandutta area of Bilaspur district, k*illing 18 passengers and leaving three persons rescued alive.
The bus was reportedly carrying 30–35 passengers on the Marotan to Ghumarwin route when the mountain gave way.
Rescue teams including SDRF, police and local administration are operating in war-footing mode, deploying heavy machinery, drones, and sniffer dogs to locate survivors under the debris.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief, directed officials to expedite rescue and medical aid, and is in constant coordination with district authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex-gratia of ₹2 lakhs for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
This tragic incident underscores the risk faced by mountainous roads — the collapse of an entire hill on the bus illustrates the urgent need for improved slope stabilization and early warning systems.
