Khada Danda road sinks after landslide

A major landslide, fuelled by relentless monsoon rains, has severely damaged the Khada Danda road — a crucial 4-km shortcut connecting Dharamsala and McLeodganj — forcing a complete halt to vehicular movement since Tuesday.

Officials believe the road’s collapse was worsened by a continuous underground flow of water beneath the concretised surface, caused by a disturbed natural drain uphill. Executive Engineer (PWD Dinesh Kumar confirmed that the road was “washed away” near Jogiwara and that persistent rainfall and fresh landslides are delaying any immediate repairs.

Currently, only two-wheelers are tentatively navigating a fragile, narrow strip of the remaining road, but authorities have strongly advised against its use. The closure has left locals and tourists with no choice but to take a 13-km detour via the Forsythganj–Church bypass.

Experts warn that the damage is deep-seated — the soil beneath has sunk considerably, requiring the construction of a massive retaining wall estimated to cost between Rs 25 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. However, restoration work can only commence after the monsoon subsides and ground stability returns.

Over half a dozen fallen trees in the affected zone have further hampered recovery efforts. Experts also point to human-induced factors, such as uphill construction disturbing natural drainage and previous road weakening due to underground sewage pipe installations. The road is now sinking at multiple points, with cracks widening each year.