A Zee News report claims that a truck driver caused a traffic jam on the highway between Ganderbal and Ramban in J&K by stopping to offer namaz on the roof of his truck. This report has been widely circulated on social media.
The archived link to the video can be viewed here.
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be false. A Daily Excelsior report from March 2, 2025, reported that the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Ramban sector had been closed due to severe weather conditions—including heavy snowfall, landslides, shooting stones, and mudslides—which led to the congestion. Road damage forced authorities to halt traffic temporarily until road repairs were completed and conditions improved.
A Hindustan Times report dated 2 March 2025 mentioned,” The highway, the only all-weather surface link that connects Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed for traffic on Thursday following multiple landslides, mudslides, and slush in Ramban district.”
Neither of the reports mentions any evidence that the man’s act of praying actively “stopped” or caused the traffic. Instead, he was merely a participant in an existing traffic situation.
Conclusion
Thus, the fact check clearly shows Zee News Story claims that the truck driver’s prayer caused the traffic jam is misleading. In reality, the heavy congestion resulted from adverse weather conditions and related road damage in the Ramban district. The truck driver was simply seen praying while already caught in traffic, and his actions did not cause the traffic jam.
