Cracks in Homes, Cracks in Lives: Shimla Families Find Relief as NHAI Steps In
Families in Shimla’s Chalaunthi area, shaken by cracks in their homes due to tunnel blasting, are finally seeing some relief. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has stepped forward to acquire residential buildings that have become unsafe, offering compensation and alternative housing to those displaced.
Two buildings near the tunnel site are already under acquisition — one with compensation announced, and the other in process. Officials assured residents that safety remains their top priority, with continuous monitoring of nearby structures now underway.
The sudden evacuation of at least 15 families last Friday night, after alarming cracks appeared, left residents panicked and uncertain. District authorities quickly arranged shelter and food at a Zila Parishad building, while a committee was formed to assess damages and recommend compensation.
Local concerns remain high, especially among shopkeepers and hotel owners fearing economic losses. While controlled blasting continues under strict instructions, residents are anxious about their future. For now, NHAI’s intervention has brought a measure of reassurance — but the incident has underscored how infrastructure projects can ripple through communities, affecting not just buildings but lives and livelihoods.
