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A road stretch in Shimla's Bhattakufar area caved in recently, reportedly linked to ongoing tunnel construction for the Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane project. A schoolgirl fell into the pit and was rescued, and a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus was stuck at the spot. The district administration stopped construction, sought detailed reports from senior officials and raised concerns with the State Disaster Management Authority. Residents had earlier complained about cracks in their homes. The administration plans to involve the Survey of India, while police have registered a negligence case against the project contractor.
A section of the road in Shimla's Bhattakufar area caved in, prompting the authorities to halt tunnel construction linked to the Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane expansion. The Shimla district administration asked the Additional District Magistrate (law and order) and the Additional Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report on the incident and its connection to nearby excavation activity. Advertisement
The collapse created a pit into which the front tyre of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus sank. A Class 8 student who was boarding the bus at the time also fell into the pit and was immediately pulled to safety by people present at the site. Officials stated that such subsidence had not occurred in this area before, and the spot is located very close to the ongoing tunnelling work.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap inspected the location along with senior police officials and noted that multiple residents had earlier complained about cracks developing in their houses. Subsequent inspections by the administration had confirmed structural damage in the vicinity. These observations led the authorities to pause the tunnel work until further assessment.
The district administration has written to the State Disaster Management Authority, stating that the incident has the potential to develop into a more serious situation if not addressed carefully. It also plans to send a report to the Survey of India for technical assistance in understanding ground movement and stability.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that the subsidence occurred on the existing Shimla Bypass (NH-05), which is maintained by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD). However, NHAI has offered machinery, manpower, and other support to the state department to help secure the area and ensure safe movement for commuters.
Police have registered a negligence case against the firm responsible for the Kaithlighat-Dhalli widening work. Local residents had previously claimed that tunnelling activity was affecting nearby structures, and the authorities have now taken formal action based on these complaints and the latest development.
This tunnel forms part of a larger infrastructure plan for Shimla. In a related decision, the Himachal Pradesh government had earlier approved an 890-metre double-lane tunnel with an estimated cost of INR 295 crore to help ease congestion and improve connectivity in the region.
Source PTI
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