NHAI to Survey 500 Homes Along Shimla Twin-Tunnel Route Amid Safety Concerns
Amid growing concerns over cracks appearing in several houses in Shimla’s Shanti Vihar area, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to carry out a comprehensive structural survey of around 500 houses located along the proposed Bhatta-Kufar-Chalaunthi twin tunnel alignment under the Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane project.
The move comes after residents raised alarm over visible damage to their homes during the ongoing tunnel excavation work. Protests by affected families prompted authorities to halt construction until the concerns are properly addressed.
According to NHAI officials, every building located within the tunnel’s zone of influence, including houses situated directly above the proposed tunnel stretch, will undergo a detailed condition assessment. The process will involve extensive videography and photography to document the current state of each structure before any construction activity resumes.
Officials said the survey is aimed at creating an official record of existing building conditions and identifying houses that may require repairs or structural strengthening. Buildings found to be vulnerable will be examined for restoration and reinforcement measures to ensure their safety during future tunnelling work.
NHAI also confirmed that an expert team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is investigating the reasons behind the cracks reported in several houses in Shanti Vihar. Based on the findings of the survey, required strengthening and repair works will be undertaken before construction moves forward.
NHAI Project Director Rajesh Dahiya assured residents that the authority is extending full cooperation to address their concerns. He said construction would resume only after homeowners’ apprehensions are resolved and confidence is restored among the affected families.
Residents Seek Permanent Halt to Tunnel Project
The twin-tunnel project, stretching approximately 2.7 kilometres between Bhatta-Kufar and Chalaunthi, is a key component of the four-lane highway initiative. Around 700 metres of excavation has already been completed.
However, thousands of residents living in nearly 500 houses along the tunnel corridor, including those in Bhatta-Kufar, Shanti Vihar and Chalaunthi, fear that continued tunnelling could further damage their homes.
Residents have demanded that work on the twin tunnels be permanently stopped and that the road project be executed according to its original survey alignment. They are also seeking firm assurances regarding the safety of their properties, along with compensation or restoration support in cases where construction-related damage occurs.
To strengthen their collective voice, affected residents have formed the Four-Lane Twin Tunnel Affected Struggle Committee. The committee has opposed the project in its present form and insists that construction remain suspended until all safety concerns are satisfactorily addressed.
Anirudh Singh Meets Affected Families
In an effort to ease tensions and hear residents’ concerns firsthand, Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh met homeowners and members of the struggle committee at a community hall on Friday. Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Gyan Sagar Negi also attended the meeting.
During the interaction, nearly 300 property owners highlighted the cracks that have already appeared in some structures and expressed fears about the impact of future tunnelling activity.
After listening to the grievances, Anirudh Singh assured residents that he would facilitate a meeting between representatives of the struggle committee and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the coming days.
Residents reiterated their opposition to the twin-tunnel project and maintained that construction should remain on hold until a mutually acceptable solution is reached and the safety of their homes is guaranteed.
