Cracks Appear in Shimla Homes Near Four-Lane Tunnel Site, Administration Halts Construction Underground digging for a four-lane highway tunnel in Shimla has triggered deep cracks in 13 to 14 multi-storey buildings, prompting the district administration to immediately stop work and plan a high-level inquiry. Underground excavation work for a four-lane highway project has triggered acute safety alarms across residential clusters in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Heavy drilling and tunneling under Sanjauli, Dhalli, and Bhattakufar have damaged nearby surface dwellings, producing deep structural fractures that threaten multiple buildings. Faced with escalating public alarm and visible structural degradation, local authorities intervened to freeze all related development work. Severe Structural Fractures Strike Residential Zones The subsurface boring beneath the hilly terrain has severely compromised the foundation of neighbouring neighborhoods. Between 13 and 14 residential buildings spread across Sanjauli, Cemetery Bhattakufar, and Dhalli have developed alarming fractures. The damage in several complexes is severe enough to spark fears of imminent collapse. Because of immediate safety hazards, authorities have already evacuated 4 residences situated in Sanjauli's heliport area to prevent casualties. Residents from the Shanti Vihar ward expressed profound distress over the abrupt threat to their properties. Families who invested their life savings into constructing their mountain residences now face the grim reality of structurally compromised dwellings. Community representatives stressed that ongoing tunnel digging is proceeding without adequate safety safeguards, leaving households vulnerable to catastrophic ground shifts. Cabinet Minister Slams Construction Quality and Oversight Taking notice of the deteriorating conditions, Cabinet Minister Aniruddha Singh launched an outspoken attack against the National Highways Authority of India and private execution firms. He accused the highway authority of compromising engineering standards and ignoring the welfare of the hill state's populace. The minister warned that the state administration would drag the central agency to court if the hazardous operations are not corrected immediately. Directly questioning execution protocols, Aniruddha Singh stated, "NHAI is executing entirely sub-standard work, causing massive cracks in around 13 to 14 buildings across Sanjauli, Cemetery Bhattakufar, and Dhalli." The minister further alleged that certain officials within the agency are pocketing illicit funds while compromising public safety. He recalled that previous lapses along the corridor had already resulted in the collapse of a building, yet proper remedial precautions were disregarded. Administrative Intervention and Calls for Judicial Inquiry Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap conducted an on-site physical inspection to appraise the extent of the damage. Responding to the structural hazards, the district administration revoked the existing permits and issued immediate stop-work orders for the project. Moving forward, the government intends to commission an exhaustive and independent technical evaluation of the corridor. Minister Aniruddha Singh disclosed that a high-level review alongside the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary will take place shortly to address the impasse. Plans are underway to establish a high-powered committee comprising geologists, environmental specialists, and departmental engineers. To ensure uncompromised credibility, the minister proposed that the probe should be headed by a retired high court judge or chief justice, ensuring strict accountability for any engineering negligence. Affected Residents Seek Scientific Assessment and Relief A citizens' delegation from the affected Shanti Vihar locality conferred with Cabinet Minister Aniruddha Singh to formally present their grievances. The group included municipal councilors Vineet Sharma and Narendra Thakur alongside former councilor Rajendra Chauhan. Their demands center on mandatory adherence to stringent hill-safety parameters, proper structural acquisition, and fair compensation for damaged properties. The affected homeowners are also preparing to meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to present their demands directly. The residents insist that tunnel excavation remain indefinitely frozen until reputable scientific bodies submit a transparent geological safety clearance. Furthermore, they demand robust stabilization interventions to protect their properties from future geological shocks caused by heavy civil engineering. What this means for you The appearance of severe cracks in Shimla residences due to tunnel excavation highlights the immediate risks heavy infrastructure projects pose to hill communities and their properties. • In Himachal Pradesh: Structural instability has created acute safety fears for families living along mountain slopes near active excavation zones. Residents in Sanjauli, Dhalli, and Bhattakufar can now advocate for formal property inspections and demand compensation before any work restarts. • Across India: Increased scrutiny over NHAI execution standards could lead to tighter regulatory oversight across tunnel projects in fragile Himalayan regions. State governments may demand mandatory independent geological safety audits before clearing heavy subsurface construction. • For Affected Families: Four households have already faced displacement, while occupants of 13 to 14 other damaged buildings face lingering housing insecurity. These homeowners must engage directly with local authorities during upcoming surveys to document damage for official claims. • Commuters and Transit: Work suspension on the four-lane tunnel will likely push back completion timelines for key highway links surrounding Shimla. Daily commuters and travelers should anticipate continued reliance on existing surface routes and potential detours during ongoing investigations. Why this happened The severe structural cracking in Shimla homes was triggered by subsurface tunnel drilling conducted without adequate safety safeguards on vulnerable mountain slopes. Heavy excavation and uncontrolled vibrations severely weakened the foundations of multi-storey dwellings above the tunnel alignment. • Drilling Vibrations and Excavation: Continuous tunneling under populated zones like Sanjauli, Cemetery Bhattakufar, and Dhalli transmitted intense subsurface vibrations into the hill slopes. This mechanical stress caused the ground beneath to settle unevenly, causing deep fissures across 13 to 14 residential buildings. • Allegations of Sub-Standard Execution: Cabinet Minister Aniruddha Singh pointed to compromised building standards and severe negligence by project contractors. Critical geotechnical support measures were reportedly skipped, and lessons were not absorbed despite a prior building collapse during earlier phases of work. • Inadequate Independent Oversight: The project lacked continuous technical and geological supervision from independent environmental bodies to detect slope distress early. Consequently, the district administration had to step in, rescind site approvals, and propose a judicial probe to investigate administrative and technical lapses. Questions & Answers 1. Which areas in Shimla have reported cracks in houses? Around 13 to 14 buildings across Sanjauli, Cemetery, Bhattakufar, Dhalli, and Shanti Vihar have developed severe cracks. 2. What immediate action did the district administration take? Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap revoked construction permits and ordered an immediate suspension of four-lane tunnel work. 3. How many homes have been evacuated in Sanjauli? Due to imminent collapse hazards, 4 residences in Sanjauli's heliport area were evacuated. 4. What allegations did Cabinet Minister Aniruddha Singh level against NHAI? He accused NHAI of executing sub-standard work, flouting safety standards, and alleged that officials were pocketing money. 5. What proposal was made regarding the inquiry committee? The minister suggested forming a high-powered panel of geologists and experts headed by a retired high court judge or chief justice. 6. What are the key demands of the affected residents? Residents are demanding a scientific damage assessment, fair compensation, property acquisition, and an indefinite halt to construction pending safety clearance. https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/shimla-men-phoralena-tanala-ki-khudai-se-darake-makana-nirmana-para-roka-ke-bada-nyayika-jancha-ki-manga-36827 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.