Construction Work on Bhattakuffer Twin Tube Tunnel Halted with Immediate Effect

Shimla, Nov 27

Following a landslide on the Mehli–Dhalli Road at Bhattakuffer, the Shimla district administration has ordered an immediate halt to all excavation, blasting and related construction work on the under-construction twin tube tunnel of National Highway-05 (Shimla Bypass Package-II). Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has directed the Project Director, NHAI Shimla, to stop all activities until further orders in the interest of public safety.

According to the preliminary report of the Geological Branch, a large sinkhole has developed in the area, with visible cracks in rock strata, continuous seepage, exposed utilities and structural cracks in nearby residential buildings. Since the tunnel alignment passes directly beneath the affected zone, a detailed geotechnical and geophysical investigation by expert agencies, including the Geological Survey of India, has been recommended. The blasting permission granted to M/s Gawar Shimla Highway Pvt. Ltd. has also been temporarily withdrawn, and continuous monitoring along with strict safety and barricading measures has been ordered.