Shimla, July 16,
A massive protest was witnessed outside the Himachal Pradesh regional office of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at Chakkar in Shimla on Wednesday, as members of the Himachal Kisan Sabha and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) voiced strong opposition to alleged large-scale destruction caused by the ongoing national highway and four-lane projects across the state.
Led by prominent leaders including Himachal Kisan Sabha President Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, CITU State President Vijendra Mehra, Joint Kisan Morcha co-convener Sanjay Chauhan, and Jai Shiv Thakur, the protest drew attention to the damaging impact of unscientific construction practices. Villagers, local leaders, and panchayat representatives from multiple districts participated, demanding accountability from both NHAI and its private contractors.
Accusations of Unsafe construction and environmental damage
Addressing the protest, Dr. Tanwar alleged that unregulated and reckless construction activity had led to widespread environmental degradation and property damage. He stated that due to unplanned hill cutting, illegal mining, and dumping, many houses in Shimla had either collapsed or were on the verge of collapse. The same activities, he claimed, had destroyed farmlands, destabilized slopes, and caused serious air pollution, severely affecting public health.
He cited the example of Dharampur in Mandi district, where bridges and even school buildings have suffered structural damage due to unchecked highway construction. The protesters blamed NHAI and its contractors—Gawar, Bharat, and Singla companies—for failing to follow environmental norms and safety protocols.
Labour exploitation and worker abuse alleged
CITU President Vijendra Mehra raised serious concerns about the exploitation of labourers employed on these highway projects. He alleged that workers are being made to work for 12 hours daily without being paid minimum wages. They are denied social security benefits such as EPF and ESI, have no weekly holidays, and live in substandard and inhumane conditions. According to Mehra, those who dare to speak up are either threatened or assaulted by company-hired bouncers, while labour authorities and the police remain silent spectators.
He emphasized that the working conditions amount to gross human rights violations and demanded immediate enforcement of labour laws to protect workers’ dignity and safety.
Demands for compensation and accountability
The delegation of protest leaders submitted a memorandum to the Regional Director of NHAI, listing their core demands. They sought immediate relief and compensation for families whose homes, land, and link roads have been damaged due to the unscientific construction of highways. They insisted that the companies responsible must be held legally accountable for both the environmental damage and violations of court orders.
The leaders also demanded that employment opportunities be given to at least 80 percent local youth, in line with the state’s industrial policy. They reiterated the need to implement court-mandated dust allowances and ensure four times compensation for land acquisition as per the High Court directives. Sanjay Chauhan pointed out that despite the court’s order, no such compensation has yet been provided.
Villagers join protest with firsthand accounts
The protest saw the participation of affected villagers, including Ranjana Verma, Reena Rapta, and Sapna Chauhan, who shared their personal experiences of loss and displacement. Local panchayat leaders like former Kot Pradhan Hiranand Shandil and Shodhi Panchayat head Parvati Devi also expressed their solidarity, condemning the authorities for ignoring the plight of the people.
Their presence underscored the deep frustration among rural communities, many of whom have lost homes, land, or access roads due to the expanding network of highways being built without proper planning or safeguards.
Call for statewide agitation if demands go unmet
In a warning to both the state government and NHAI, protest leaders declared that if their demands are not met promptly, they would intensify the agitation with a larger statewide movement on August 7. Dr. Tanwar said that the people of Himachal Pradesh are ready for a decisive struggle if the ongoing destruction continues unchecked and justice remains denied.
The protest has once again highlighted the darker side of infrastructure development in the hill state, where questions of ecological balance, labour rights, and community welfare are increasingly coming into conflict with rapid road expansion. As tensions escalate, all eyes are now on how NHAI and the state administration will respond to these mounting concerns.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
