One month on, massive rocks still block highway in Sirmaur

Roads across Sirmaur district have been left in shambles during the ongoing monsoons, with national highways, state routes, major district roads and link roads all bearing the brunt of heavy rainfall. Potholes, loose debris and recurring landslides have created a situation where motorists are left wondering whether they are driving on a road filled with craters or navigating a stretch buried under rubble.

The Nahan-Sarahan-Kumarhatti highway-907A, considered a lifeline connecting the district headquarters with Shimla, is among the worst affected. The downpour has rendered this crucial highway nearly impassable, with boulders, mudslides and deep potholes slowing down traffic and endangering lives.

Barely 5 km from Sarahan, the stretch at Dharayar has emerged as one of the most dangerous spots. Massive rocks that slid onto the road more than a month ago continue to block the passage, leaving only a narrow strip open for vehicles. With the road already constricted at this point, accidents loom large. On Thursday, a serious mishap was narrowly averted when vehicles from both directions got stuck head-to-head, narrowly avoiding a collision.

Adding to the chaos, heavy debris remains piled near Ladu, while smaller rockfalls and loose mud scattered across the highway make driving treacherous. Commuters say that despite repeated appeals, no serious effort has been made to clear the route. “Every journey feels like a gamble with life,” one daily traveller remarked, pointing to the constant fear of skidding, collisions or getting trapped in another slide.

Rakesh Khanduja, Executive Engineer of the Nahan division of the National Highways Authority, said tenders had been floated to clear the highway. “Permission has been obtained from the state headquarters to break the large rocks at Dharayar and remove the debris. The work will be carried out within the next two to three days,” he assured.

For now, however, commuters, transporters and local residents remain caught between administrative delays and the fury of nature. With the highway serving as a critical link between Nahan and Shimla, locals insist that swift action is the only way to restore safe travel before a major tragedy occurs.