Shimla Road Collapse Sparks Safety Concerns: Tunnel Work Under Scrutiny

A shocking incident in Shimla’s Bhattakufer area has raised serious questions about ongoing tunnel construction. On November 22, 2025, a section of the road suddenly caved in, creating a massive pit—2.2 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 4 meters deep. A school bus, waiting to pick up children, got stuck as the ground gave way, leaving one of its tires dangling in mid-air. In the chaos, a young girl fell into the pit but was heroically rescued by a quick-thinking pickup driver and bus staff using a rope.

Following the incident, the Geological Survey of India submitted its report to Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap. The findings point to leakage from two water pipes as the primary cause, compounded by human factors like vibrations from tunnel construction. The report strongly recommends halting all blasting activities for the tunnel project, though manual work can continue.

The administration has demanded detailed records from the construction company, including surveys conducted when work began in March 2024 and steps taken to implement safety suggestions. Cracks have already appeared in homes near the tunnel site, and the district administration has promised to assist affected families in securing compensation.

For now, all tunneling, excavation, and blasting activities have been suspended, and the company’s blasting permit has been temporarily revoked. Authorities emphasize that their top priority is safeguarding lives and property as investigations continue.