Shimla Halts NHAI Tunnel Work after Road Depression and Home Cracks

01 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Shimla district administration has ordered an immediate halt to all construction on the twin tube tunnel under National Highway-05 after a large depression surfaced on the Mehli–Dhali Road and structural cracks appeared in several nearby homes. The decision follows growing safety concerns triggered by the recent landslide at Bhattakufar.

District Magistrate Anupam Kashyap has written to the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), instructing that all excavation, blasting and related activities under the Shimla Bypass Package-II be stopped without delay. The blasting permit issued to Gawar, Shimla Highway Private Ltd has also been temporarily withdrawn pending further review.

A preliminary inspection by the Geological Branch found significant ground instability in the affected area. The report confirms the formation of a large depression on the Mehli–Dhali Road, cracks in the rock mass, persistent leakage and exposure of utilities. Several surrounding residential structures have also developed cracks, raising concerns about the safety of the settlement.

Officials noted that the alignment of the under-construction twin tube tunnel runs directly beneath the impacted zone, and the possibility that excavation activity contributed to the instability “cannot be ruled out,” according to the report.

In light of these findings, the administration has called for a detailed geotechnical and geophysical investigation by a specialised agency such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to pinpoint the exact cause of the subsidence and landslide activity.

Citing risks to public safety and nearby residential buildings, Kashyap said all tunnelling, blasting and excavation works at Bhattakufar will remain suspended until expert assessments are completed and further orders are issued.

News source: The Tribune

Image source

Infrastructure Urban

01 Dec 2025

ALIMCO Marks 53 Years with New Logo, EV Scooter and Wheelchair Tech

ALIMCO celebrated its 53rd Foundation Day with the unveiling of a refreshed corporate identity and the launch of next-generation mobility solutions designed to enhance independence for Divyangjan and senior citizens. The event, attended by Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar and Minister of State B L. Verma, underscored the organisation’s expanding role in India’s inclusion and accessibility landscape.Dr Virendra Kumar highlighted ALIMCO’s evolution from a manufacturing unit into a national institution rooted in innovation and empathy. He noted that more..

Study Flags 25 Meghalaya Blocks as Highly Climate Vulnerable

A new climate vulnerability assessment has found that 25 of Meghalaya’s 39 Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Blocks fall under the high or very high risk categories, highlighting the serious pressures climate change is placing on the state’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The analysis marks Meghalaya’s first block-level climate vulnerability study and offers a more granular understanding of local risks compared to broader district-level assessments.The assessment was carried out by the Meghalaya Climate Change Centre (MCCC), established under the National Mission for Sustaining the Hi..

Railways Ramps up Safety Measures as Cyclone Ditwah nears Tamil Nadu

As Cyclone Ditwah advances toward the Tamil Nadu coast, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the preparedness of Southern Railway to ensure passenger safety and minimise disruption to operations. The review, held with the General Manager and senior officials of Southern Railway, focused on precautionary protocols, emergency response systems and communication strategies for coastal regions likely to be affected by the cyclone.During the review, the Minister stressed the immediate establishment of dedi..