Rain-ravaged Sirmaur roads pose risk to commuters as boulders create bottlenecks

The monsoon has left a trail of destruction in Sirmaur district, severely damaging national highways, state thoroughfares, major district roads and link routes. Many roads have been riddled by potholes to the extent that they can no longer be identified as roads.

The Nahan–Kumarhatti National Highway (NH-907A), which connects the district headquarters Nahan with the state capital Shimla, is among the worst affected. Large potholes, scattered debris and fallen boulders have made driving along the route both difficult and dangerous. The risk of accidents remains high at several locations.

Around 17 kilometres from Nahan, near Bohal, massive boulders have been lying on the road for nearly two months, leaving only a narrow passage for vehicles to move through. The stretch has become a virtual bottleneck, where even a slight misjudgment can lead to an accident. Barely three days ago, a collision was narrowly averted here when two vehicles met head-on.

It has been two months but the National Highways Authority has not yet removed the boulders from the site. A week ago, white lime was applied to the rocks to make them visible at night — a temporary measure aimed at preventing accidents. But what this stretch needs is a permanent solution.

Heavy debris also continues to block portions of the road near Ladu, while mud and stones scattered along the highway have turned the drive into a hazardous experience for motorists.

When contacted, Executive Engineer of the Nahan Division of the National Highways Authority, Rakesh Khunduja, informed that a tender process is underway to clear the debris and break down the large boulders near Bohal. “The work will be completed within a week, and the rocks and debris will be fully removed,” he assured. Commuters, however, remain apprehensive as the prolonged neglect of the route has not only disrupted smooth traffic flow but also raised serious concerns about road safety in the district.