Shiller-Pathia link road near Kasauli erodes due to heavy rain, motorists at risk

Motorists and schoolchildren travelling in buses this morning were exposed to massive risk as the dilapidated Shiller-Pathia link road near Kasauli eroded precariously under heavy rain, sizeably reducing its carriageway.

The absence of a retaining wall triggered erosion at several places, where mounds of muck and boulders rolled down from the excavated hill, considerably blocking the narrow single lane road. Uprooted trees added to the problem.

Some stretches witnessed erosion of road along the valley side and landslide along the hilly side.

Small children were forced to walk for several kilometers on the slushy path as the driver of a school bus could not ply on the narrow worn-off road, considering the risk.

The road was inaugurated for the second time in July 2025 by Congress MLA Vinod Sultanpuri despite its dilapidated condition.

"Though we have been demanding its repair ever since it was inaugurated in July last year the PWD staff paid no heed to our request," lamented Manish, a Shiller resident.

A sum of Rs 3.52 crore was spent on laying this 3.5-km-long road. Residents questioned why retaining and breast walls were not laid at vulnerable places. They said the dug-up hill had been eroding after every rain spell.

The road was funded by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). While a pedestrian path already existed, the road was barely widened and only a few shoddy culverts were laid, alleged a resident.

Former Kasauli MLA Dr Rajiv Saizal had laid its foundation stone in October 2020 and the road was inaugurated in 2022, despite the fact that its concretisation work was pending.

In the absence of timely metalling, the road has developed potholes and water accumulates at several places after rain. Slush makes it challenging for motorists to navigate the stretch. Such spots even put pedestrians in danger as the road lacks adequate concrete base.