Perilous path: Stranded commuters risk lives on landslide-hit NH-707 in Sirmaur district

Braving danger with every step, stranded commuters were seen this morning risking their lives as they crossed the landslide-hit National Highway 707 near Utari, close to Shillai in Sirmaur district. Triggered by intense rainfall between 4 and 5 am this morning, a massive landslide blocked the under-construction highway, stranding vehicles on both sides and cutting off critical access between Paonta Sahib, Shillai, Ronhat, Nerwa, Chaupal, Hatkoti and Rohru.

Huge boulders and debris tumbled down the hillside, rendering the road completely impassable. With no immediate way forward, many people abandoned their vehicles and began walking through the dangerous stretch on foot—carefully making their way across unstable ground, despite the constant risk of fresh slides.

Local authorities have diverted light passenger vehicles via the Gangtoli-Kunhat-Naya link road. However, this narrow route is only suitable for smaller vehicles. For heavy goods carriers and large passenger vehicles, commuters have been advised to take the Haripur (Vikasnagar)– Meenas–Gumma road through Uttarakhand as an alternative.

The NH-707 remains under construction, with road widening and hill cutting in progress. The practice of vertical excavation—often at 90 degrees—has left several portions of the highway dangerously exposed. These fragile slopes become extremely vulnerable during the monsoon, increasing the frequency and intensity of landslides.

In the wake of today’s incident, local residents have strongly appealed to the state government to conduct a joint inspection of NH-707 along with officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). They have demanded that areas with steep 90-degree vertical hill-cutting be reshaped into 45-degree slope cuts followed by proper slope stabilisation work, to ensure long-term safety and prevent further loss of life and property.

While road clearance operations were underway, authorities estimate that it may take one to two days to restore traffic, depending on weather conditions and the volume of debris. Until then, NH-707 remains closed—except for those willing to brave it on foot through a path of peril.