Landslide blocks Dharamsala route, exposes construction risks

Vehicular traffic between Dharamsala and Sakoh Gaggal came to a halt for several hours today following a massive landslide that blocked the main thoroughfare. While the debris was cleared by emergency teams, thick layers of mud left on the road continued to pose a serious hazard, particularly for those travelling on two-wheelers.

The affected hill stretch has seen extensive and dangerous vertical cutting in recent months, driven by an unregulated construction boom. Locals, eager to raise multi-storey structures, appear oblivious to the ecological fragility of the region, especially during monsoon downpours.

Despite the district administration issuing warnings following an exposé by The Tribune two months ago, illegal excavation continued unchecked. JCB and poclain excavators were again spotted digging into the vulnerable slopes, worsening the already precarious situation during the rains.

Environmentalists warn that unless immediate steps are taken to halt these unscientific and reckless construction practices, a major geological disaster is imminent. “This is a ticking time bomb,” said one expert. “The debris is clogging rivulets, blocking kuhls (water channels) and getting deposited above the topsoil of fertile fields.”

Farmers in the region, especially those cultivating paddy, are bearing the brunt. “Our fields are suffering. Fertile soil is vanishing and water channels are choked,” lamented a local farmer.

The incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement, ecological assessments and public awareness before irreversible damage occurs.