Subterranean excavation for a major highway expansion project has raised safety concerns among residents in Himachal Pradesh's capital. In Shimla, ongoing construction of a twin tunnel along the Dhalli four-lane route has resulted in noticeable cracks appearing on residential structures situated in the Sanjauli Cemetery locality. With hundreds of properties positioned directly above the subterranean work facing potential instability, the district authorities have initiated immediate administrative interventions and comprehensive technical assessments.
Administrative Review and Structural Restoration Framework
Following reports of structural damage, a high-level review meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap. The meeting focused on addressing the distress expressed by local residents and formulating immediate corrective steps. Revenue officials have been directed to conduct physical inspections across the affected belt to catalog every single property requiring structural reinforcement and repairs.
Under the administrative plan, the infrastructure firm executing the tunnel works will formulate an extensive repair roadmap for all identified properties. To ensure standard engineering practices and structural integrity, officers from the Public Works Department will supervise the restoration work. The rectification will only be certified as complete once these engineers verify and officially clear the quality of work, prioritizing safety and public peace of mind.
Three-Tiered Inspection Across 100-Metre Perimeter
To assess potential structural risks comprehensively, administrative officials decided to inventory and examine all dwellings situated within a roughly 100-metre radius directly above the twin tunnel alignment. This structural evaluation will proceed through three systematic phases.
The first phase will scrutinize buildings situated directly overhead the two individual 11-metre-wide tunnels. The second tier of the survey will evaluate structures positioned over the 20-metre corridor separating the two parallel tubes. Finally, inspectors will examine properties falling within a 30-metre lateral boundary extending from both sides of the twin tunnel network to document all vulnerabilities.
Immediate Suspension of Blasting and IIT Roorkee Consultation
During the official deliberations, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials stated that explosive blasting is not actively taking place for tunnel excavation at present. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure to safeguard the neighborhood, the district administration immediately suspended the blasting permissions previously granted to the construction firm.
To obtain an independent scientific assessment regarding the ground settlement and structural fissures, the administration formally requested a specialist panel from IIT Roorkee to visit the site. The engineering delegation will examine the fractured buildings, pinpoint the technical causes behind the cracking, and outline mandatory safeguards and engineering modifications required to continue future tunnel construction without endangering surface dwellings.
Site Inspections by Senior Officials and Continuous Surveillance
Initial site visits were conducted by the Additional District Magistrate and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate soon after residents raised alarms regarding the fissures. Subsequently, a wider inspection contingent comprising the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Additional District Magistrate (Protocol), and SDM Shimla Rural visited the Sanjauli Cemetery zone to personally inspect damaged residences and interact directly with the affected families.
The administrative deliberations included Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Gyan Sagar Negi, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shimla Rural Manjeet Sharma, NHAI Project Director Anand Kumar, and Deputy Manager Sumit Bansal. Representatives from execution agencies, including Gawar Construction Company General Manager Kuldeep Gujral, Bharat Construction Project Manager Sadanand Mohanty, and HR Manager Ravinder Chandel, along with Naib Tehsildars Layak Ram Sharma and B. S. Chauhan from Kala, were also present. The Deputy Commissioner assured local residents that administrative surveillance over the affected houses remains active, emphasizing that public safety and property protection will not be compromised.
