Restoring landslide-hit Shimla area a challenge for PWD, civic body

The Public Works Department (PWD) and the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) are in a dilemma regarding the restoration of a landslide-affected area near the Ramchandra Chowk in the state capital that was damaged due to a massive landslide triggered by torrential rain in August. Officials have inspected the site and are now planning to erect a structure similar to the one constructed to save the sinking portion of the historic Ridge on the Mall Road.

As per geologists, the area has no hard strata up to 30 metres, making it very difficult to initiate the restoration work. They had earlier suggested to wait for the rains to stop to remove debris from the site as more rainfall could cause further damage in the area.

Municipal Commissioner Bhupinder Attri has said that the restoration work has been handed over to the PWD. He added that there was a possibility that the area may need a similar structure that was erected to save the sinking portion of the Ridge.

Meanwhile, PWD officials stated that the inspection of the site had been completed and a report would be submitted to the state government soon. The landslide that occurred in August had resulted in massive deodar trees getting uprooted and falling on houses in the Benmore area along with debits, endangering residential buildings. After their houses became vulnerable, many residents shifted to the homes of their relatives in Shimla. As per local residents, many families had returned to their homes while others continue to live with their relatives.

Besides, the road between The Ridge to the Ramchandra Chowk has been completely blocked, causing inconvenience to locals. The residents have appealed to the government to involve experts in chalking out a proper and effective plan to restore the damaged area.

In 2023, a retaining wall in the area had sunk during the monsoon season. The Municipal Corporation had restored the wall but it sank within a year again, forcing locals to question the quality of the restoration work.