The Himachal Pradesh High Court has sought a specific response from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on its decision to abandon the original surface highway plan for the Shimla Bypass and construct twin tunnels instead. The court also sought an explanation for the expenditure of about Rs. 6 bn on land acquisition and compensation for the earlier alignment.

Justice Sandeep Sharma issued notices to the Union government, the Himachal Pradesh government, NHAI and the Shimla Deputy Commissioner on a petition filed by eight residents of Sanjauli. The respondents have been directed to file their replies within two weeks, with the matter listed for further hearing on November 17.

The petitioners have sought an immediate halt to construction of the twin-tube Chalauthi-Sanjauli-Bhatta Kufar tunnel under Package 2 of the bypass project. They have alleged that excavation and tunnelling damaged residential buildings above the alignment, with some houses subsequently declared unsafe. NHAI informed the court that work had been suspended on September 18 and would not resume until an expert team from IIT Roorkee submitted its safety report.

The court did not issue a formal injunction but indicated that construction should remain suspended until the next hearing, consistent with NHAI’s stated position. It directed the authority to explain why the surface alignment through Chhakrail, Bhatta Kufar and Dhalli was abandoned after land had been acquired and compensation distributed to landowners and displaced families.

According to the petition, about 88 families were displaced after their houses were demolished, while at least 16 buildings near the tunnel have suffered structural damage. Nearly 1,000 families live in the densely populated area. The petitioners have cited Geological Survey of India concerns about tunnelling beneath residential areas, including locations where the tunnel would be only 14 metres below the surface. Residents’ protests have called for a safety assessment, a review of the revised alignment, protection for affected buildings and compensation for damaged homes.