HC seeks details of alternative road between Chakki Mod & Kimu Ghat to ease Kasauli-Dharampur traffic
Shimla, July 3
Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State Government to place on record the details of the proposed alternative road from Chakki Mod to Kimu Ghat, observing that the project is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the Kasauli-Dharampur stretch, which frequently remains affected by landslides and road blockades during the monsoon.
Hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (Court on its own motion vs State of Himachal Pradesh & others, CWPIL No. 62 of 2026), a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi was informed by Additional Advocate General Pranay Pratap Singh that the Garkhal Bypass on the Dharampur-Kasauli road is being executed by the Himachal Pradesh Road and Other Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (HPRIDC).
The State submitted that the stipulated completion date of the project is August 2, 2027.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench ordered that HPRIDC be impleaded as a respondent in the proceedings through its Managing Director and issued notice to the Corporation, returnable on August 6, 2026.
During the hearing, the court was also informed that construction of an alternative road from Chakki Mod to Kimu Ghat is underway with financial assistance from NABARD, while the executing agency is the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD).
According to the State, the proposed road is expected to divert traffic from the Kasauli-Dharampur corridor and provide an alternate route.
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The Bench directed the State Government to place the complete details of the alternative road project on record on or before the next date of hearing.
The court also took on record an affidavit filed by Arvind Kumar Sharma, holding additional charge of Superintending Engineer, HPPWD, 3rd Circle, Solan.
It further noted that a report had been submitted by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Solan, and directed that a copy of the report be supplied to the State counsel.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 6, 2026.
The issue assumes significance as the Chakki Mod-Kasauli-Dharampur stretch witnesses repeated disruptions during the rainy season due to landslides caused by hill cutting and unstable slopes, often leaving commuters stranded and affecting connectivity between Solan and Kasauli.
The High Court is monitoring the matter to ensure long-term measures are put in place for safer and uninterrupted traffic movement.
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