Shimla Bypass Row: HC Questions NHAI Over Abandoned Highway and Rs 600 Crore Spend
Himachal Pradesh HC seeks answers from NHAI over Rs 600 crore spent on land for a surface highway that was replaced by twin tunnels.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has demanded a detailed explanation from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding a drastic shift in the planning of the Shimla Bypass. The court is questioning why the original plan for a surface highway was scrapped in favor of twin tunnels, especially after the government had already spent approximately Rs 600 crore on land acquisition and compensation.
Financial Waste and Displaced Families
The legal battle began when eight residents of Sanjauli approached the court, raising serious concerns over the project's execution. According to the petition, the original design for the Shimla Bypass on NH-05 was intended to be a surface highway passing through Dhalli, Bhatta Kufar, and Chhakrail. To facilitate this, NHAI acquired vast tracts of land and distributed compensation totaling around Rs 600 crore to affected landowners.
The human cost of this initial plan was significant, with approximately 88 families being displaced and their homes demolished to make way for the highway. However, the petitioners allege that NHAI later abandoned this surface alignment without any plausible justification, opting instead for the construction of twin tunnels from Sanjauli's Chalauthi to Bhatta Kufar.
Justice Sandeep Sharma has now directed NHAI to explain the reasoning behind this pivot and, more importantly, to clarify who will compensate the public exchequer for the massive expenditure incurred on the abandoned surface highway plan.
Structural Damage and Safety Fears
Beyond the financial discrepancies, the petitioners have sounded an alarm over the physical impact of the tunnel construction. They claim that excavation and tunnelling activities under "Package No. 2" of the project have caused severe structural damage to residential buildings located above the tunnel alignment.
- Cracks and Instability: Several residential structures have developed cracks, with some of the petitioners' own houses being declared unsafe.
- Widespread Impact: At least 16 buildings in the area are reported to have suffered structural damage.
- Community Anxiety: The situation has created fear among nearly 1,000 families living in this densely populated region of Shimla.
The petitioners further alleged that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) had previously advised against constructing a tunnel through this specific area.
Work Halted Pending Expert Review
During the proceedings, the counsel for NHAI informed the court that tunnelling work was suspended on September 18. The authority stated that work will not resume until an expert team from IIT Roorkee submits a comprehensive report on safety aspects. The IIT Roorkee team has already visited the site and requested construction records for review.
NHAI has assured the court that it will implement adequate protective measures to prevent further damage to residential structures before any work restarts.
Court's Stand and Next Steps
While the court did not issue a formal injunction, Justice Sandeep Sharma noted that since NHAI had already committed to suspending work until the expert report arrives, a formal order was not immediately necessary. However, the court expressed its "hope and trust" that no further construction activity regarding the twin tunnels would take place before the next hearing.
The High Court has issued notices to the Union government, the Himachal Pradesh government, the NHAI, and the Shimla Deputy Commissioner. All parties are required to file their replies within two weeks. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 17.