GSI team begins probe into Bhattakufar subsidence amid rising public concern and contradictory technical claims
Shimla, Nov 29,
A Geological Survey of India (GSI) team reached Shimla on Friday evening to examine the alarming land subsidence at Bhattakufar Chowk, where a portion of the road above the under-construction twin-tube tunnel on the Mehli–Dhalli stretch collapsed last week. The experts began their preliminary inspection around 7 pm and will conduct a detailed joint examination with the district administration on Saturday at 10:30 am.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the administration had formally sought the GSI’s expertise soon after the cavity appeared. Acting on the request, the team arrived and initiated ground assessment late Friday.
The field visit comes at a time when contradictory technical explanations and growing anxiety have unsettled residents living along and above the tunnel alignment. Local geologists familiar with the area told HimachalScape that traces of muck consistent with tunnel excavation were reportedly found inside the surface cavity — an observation that has fuelled fears of a possible link between the subsidence and the ongoing tunnelling works underneath.
Residents say that if the collapse is in any way connected to the excavation corridor, the stability of the slope — which supports homes, commercial establishments and a crucial road link — could be at risk. Several families have demanded that the government halt any restoration work until a scientific cause is clearly established.
On its part, the NHAI has maintained that it has valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the revised tunnel alignment. Officials insist that their internal evaluations have detected no cracks or fissures directly above the excavation line. Based on this, the agency has proposed filling the collapsed zone with reinforced concrete to stabilise the surface.
However, the suggestion has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups. Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha president Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said the priority must be a transparent, science-based determination of what caused the cavity to form. “Residents are living in fear. Filling the cavity without first understanding whether underground excavation has loosened the hill mass could compromise safety. It may also bury crucial evidence,” he said. According to him, officials claimed that no fissures were observed above the tunnel, but locals remain unconvinced.
The GSI’s detailed investigation on Saturday will be critical in establishing whether the collapse was triggered by natural geological factors or by anthropogenic disturbances linked to the four-lane project. Its findings are expected to shape the administration’s next steps on safety measures, accountability, and the future of tunnelling activity on the contentious Mehli–Dhalli stretch.
For now, the situation remains tense, with residents demanding clarity, a pause on hasty repair work, and firm assurances that their homes and the busy hill corridor remain safe.
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.
