Leak lane: Weep holes turn into free-flowing water taps

What was meant to be a scientific drainage mechanism on the Dharampur-Solan stretch of National Highway-5 has, ironically, turned into a free-flowing water source. Near Kumarhatti, a weep hole on the breast wall, designed to drain out excess moisture from the hillside, has transformed into a natural water channel, releasing a steady gush day and night.

This unusual phenomenon has quickly found takers. Commercial water suppliers, spotting a profit-making opportunity, have been filling their tankers at no cost, selling the water to nearby hotels and real estate projects that constantly struggle to meet their needs. Vehicle owners too, often seen stopping along the road, make the most of the free resource, washing their dirt-coated cars and trucks.

The backdrop of heavy rainfall over the past fortnight has only intensified the flow. While hills typically release absorbed water through scattered natural seepages, this particular spot stands out: a lone weep hole providing an uninterrupted supply for over a week.

Yet beneath this picture of abundance lies a tale of poor engineering. Weep holes are critical for ensuring that breast walls withstand pressure — allowing water to escape and air to circulate, preventing structural failure. Here, however, most of the installed weep holes are dry, clogged or non-functional. A civil engineer explained that the continuous discharge from a single outlet indicates faulty water channelling, with all pressure diverted to one point.

The highway’s four-laning was executed by a private contractor under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). According to the design, breast walls ranging from 1.5 to 3 metres were erected after cutting the hills, each fitted with weep holes for smooth drainage. But reality paints a different picture. Many walls along the stretch have already weakened or collapsed

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