Recurring landslides on Shimlahighway a threat to commuters

A recurring problem

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The incidents of stones rolling down on the Kalka-Shimla highway have become a recurring problem

A large scale excavation is under way near Timber Trail Resorts, where a bridge is being constructed.

Locals are fearful of venturing out unless there is an emergency

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 27

A slew of fatal landslides in hilly terrains has failed to deter tourists from venturing to the hills in the monsoon.

Vehicles can be seen lined up along the Kalka-Shimla National Highway (NH)-5 where the excavation work is under way for its four-laning. Since the highway leads to Solan, Shimla and Kinnaur districts, a huge influx of vehicles is seen on the highway.

The incidents of stones rolling down on the highway have become a recurring problem. A large scale excavation is under way near Timber Trail Resorts, where a bridge is being constructed. The stretch between Solan and Kandaghat is vulnerable.

Locals are fearful of venturing on to the highway unless there is an emergency as the traffic influx is a regular feature on the highway now.

One can estimate the traffic influx from the toll collected at the Parwanoo inter-state barrier. A toll of Rs 4,05,000 was collected last Sunday while the figure had touched Rs 4,07,000 in the previous weekend, said officials of the State Taxes and Excise.

Keeping in view the landslides, officials of the National Highways Authority of India have also put in place preventive measures.

Project Director, NHAI, Suresh Sharma, said, “The work has been deferred at 15 to 16 sites on the Parwanoo-Kaithlighat section where the strata is fragile and the probability of landslides is high. Specific measures have been suggested by the Geological Survey of India to stabilise the slope, especially near the toll plaza at Sanwara. An estimate of about Rs 6 crore has been worked out and, if approved, the work will be initiated soon. Depending on its success, similar measures can be adopted at other slopes where landslides are reoccurring.”

Steps like brush mattressing, which involves planting shrubs to minimise erosion along the slopes, were also being exercised.

“The incident of landslides is comparatively less between the Solan and Kaithlight section as the 45-m area is available as against the 32-m available from Parwanoo to Solan. With more space available to excavate the slopes, preventive measures are immediately put in place to minimise the damage,” said Sharma.