Chandigarh-Shimla NH cave-in: HP issues advisory not to travel to Kasauli hills, Shimla

Talking to The Indian Express, SDM, Solan, Gaurav Mahajan said, “We have contacted the Mohali and Panchkula administrations and through them, advisories have been issued requesting people not to travel to Kasauli and Shimla as the highway is closed due to multiple landslides in the area”.

He added, “Due to non-stop heavy rains in the area, where the highway gave in, a deep gorge has been created. It is difficult to repair that patch in such a short time and will take sometime before it is back in its original state. Till that time, a temporary arrangement is being created by the NHAI, which would be in the form of a ‘D’ so that some temporary movement of the traffic could be restored. The process will take another two to three days”.

The advisory issued by the SAS Nagar police reads, “Don’t travel towards Kasauli hills or Shimla as heavy landslides have taken place on the National Highway at Koti and it is closed for next 48 hours. Heavy landslides on route towards Kasauli via Masulhana.”

SP, Solan, Gaurav Singh said, “The condition of the part of highway which gave in is really bad and will take around two to three more days before the traffic is temporarily restored on it. It will also depend on other conditions such rainfall, landslides and the amount of falling debris”. He added, “The commuters are requested to strictly follow the alternative route provided by the Solan traffic police”.

He claimed that till now around 1,500 vehicles from Parwanoo have moved via alternative routes towards Solan and around 1,300 vehicles from Johar ji-Kamli road. Singh also said that the one way scheme of movement of traffic has helped them control the movement of vehicles on the alternative route.