Bhattakufar Tunnel Work Halted After Road Cave-In Sparks Safety Fears in Shimla
Construction of the twin-tube tunnel at Bhattakufar has been stopped with immediate effect after fresh safety concerns emerged following last week’s subsidence on the Mehli–Dhalli road. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to suspend all excavation, blasting, and related work on the Shimla Bypass (NH-05 Package-II) until further notice.
The move comes after the Geological Wing’s preliminary inspection flagged a major cavity in the affected stretch, along with cracks in the rock mass, seepage, damaged utilities, and structural cracks in nearby homes. The report also warned that the under-construction tunnel runs directly beneath the danger zone, raising fears that ongoing underground work may be worsening the situation.
Officials have now called for a detailed investigation by specialised agencies such as the Geological Survey of India to determine the exact cause of the subsidence. In the meantime, blasting permissions granted to the project contractor have been withdrawn, and continuous monitoring of cracks, seepage, and ground movement has been ordered. Strict barricading and safety measures are being put in place to protect residents.
The suspension follows a near-tragedy earlier this month when a section of the Bhattakufar road collapsed under an HRTC bus carrying schoolchildren. The incident sparked public outrage, with residents reporting damage to homes and staging protests demanding accountability from NHAI. District officials had already warned of a looming disaster, and the latest order underscores the urgency of safeguarding lives and property before work can resume.
