Shillai landslip: Restoration work of hill pathway from Parcha to Heuna underway

Tribune News Service
Solan, August 2

Labourers were deputed today to maintain a three-km hilly pathway from Parcha to Heuna in Shillai which is used by villagers for commuting from Kamrau region to Sataun and other places after the Paonta Sahib-Shillai was closed for vehicular traffic following a 150-m stretch caving-in.

Commuters using the route had expressed fear of slipping in the valley below. The narrow bridle path lies right on top of the Kali Dhank where the road had caved in on Friday. The issue was highlighted in these columns following which the SDM, Paonta Sahib, today deputed labourers to carve out a broader path. The incessant rain pouring in the area, however, posed a challenge.

As many as 200 to 250 villagers are using this path on a daily basis ever since the highway was closed for traffic. With the opening of the schools today, the utility of this pathway has further increased as it provides a shorter route to reach Sataun, Paonta Sahib, Nahan, etc. Though people from the affected Kamrau belt could use the other arterial routes, these are time consuming.

SDM, Paonta Sahib, Vivek Mahajan said, “Labourers have been deputed to broaden the pathway to facilitate the villagers using it. An earth excavation machine was also pressed into service to restore the caved in portion of the highway by preparing the ground but incessant rain was hampering the operations. The slush has made it difficult for the workers to carry on work throughout the day.”

The officials of the HPSEBL have also begun the work to shift power lines lying in the precincts of the Kali Dhank where cracks have appeared on the road surface as its base had eroded.

Mandeep Singh, Superintending Engineer, Sirmaur, said, “Power supply in the Shillai area has not been disrupted but three power supply lines are being shifted as they fall in the vulnerable zone which could erode further. This could plunge the area into darkness if the lines were not shifted soon.”

A 33-KVA substation at Shillai would also be shifted for which a team comprising officials of the HPSEBL, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which is overseeing the road widening project, as well as the private company executing the work visited the site today.

“The final route of the highway after its widening will also have to be taken into account while shifting the poles and power infrastructure or else they will again become vulnerable to damage when widening work begins. The cost incurred on this additional liability was yet to be worked out as the prime focus is to shift the poles,” said the SE, HPSEBL.