Faulty Four-Lane Construction in Himachal Leads to Widespread Destruction — Poor DPRs, Steep Hill Cutting Blamed
Shimla/Mandi – The ongoing construction of four-lane highways in Himachal Pradesh has turned into a major cause of destruction, especially during the monsoon. Landslides, collapsing houses, and ruined farmlands are exposing serious lapses in Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), improper land acquisition, and the unscientific use of plain-area techniques in hilly terrains.
To cut costs, proper land was not acquired initially. Later, steep vertical hill cuttings — even at 90 degrees — were carried out, leading to rockfalls and building collapses during heavy rains. Several areas have reported major damage to life and property.
Locals Devastated: Lost Homes and Land
Jayaram's family from Chamhuka village in Sundernagar (Mandi district) has been severely affected. The 90-degree hill cutting near their house, along with heavy construction machinery, led to deep cracks in their home. Joginder Walia from Bhor village in Nerchowk said that ancestral farmland has been completely destroyed due to landslides triggered by the construction.
In Bhattakufar, Shimla, a four-and-a-half-storey concrete building in Mathu Colony collapsed like a house of cards. Owner Ranjana Verma, who spent her life savings on the construction, now lives with her sister after losing her home.
Officials and Experts Admit to Mistakes
Ajay Kapoor, Chief Engineer of the National Highway Wing, admitted that only 32 meters of land were acquired instead of the required 46 meters. This limited space forced straight vertical cutting, resulting in instability and disaster.
Dr. Alok Kumar Gupta, Dean of Engineering at Jaypee University, stated that the techniques used in Himachal for four-lane construction are unsuitable for hilly terrains. Even the retaining walls built after cutting are failing in heavy rainfall.
DPR Quality Under Scrutiny
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged that the agencies responsible for preparing the DPRs of the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane are to blame for the destruction. He criticized the preparation of DPRs using Google Maps without proper site analysis.
Political and Administrative Concerns Raised
Former IAS officer Tarun Shridhar, who served as Secretary of Forest, Environment, and Revenue Departments, questioned why the century-old Shimla-Kalka rail track can survive heavy rains, but the newly built four-lanes cannot. He emphasized the need for understanding local geography before such massive projects.
Environmental expert Dr. Khyal Chand highlighted whether proper hill-cutting methods and budget utilization were being followed. Ministers Vikramaditya Singh and Anirudh Singh also expressed concern over the 90-degree cuts and poor planning, blaming construction companies for endangering public safety.
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