HC takes suo motu cognizance ognizance of traffic chaos on Gadkhal-Kasauli road
HC takes suo motu cognizance ognizance of traffic chaos on Gadkhal-Kasauli road
Shimla, June 16,
Taking serious note of chronic traffic congestion and the deteriorating condition of the Gadkhal-Kasauli road, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the State Government to place on record the steps taken for construction of a proposed bypass to ease traffic movement on the busy tourist route.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi observed that the stretch between Gadkhal and Kasauli has become a “nightmare” for tourists and local residents owing to persistent traffic jams, particularly during the peak tourist season.
During the hearing of a public interest matter taken up by the court on its own motion, the Bench noted that despite recurring congestion on the route, no effective measures appeared to have been undertaken to resolve the problem. The court was informed that there is a proposal to construct a bypass to avoid the heavily congested stretch.
The Bench directed the State Government to file instructions detailing the progress and steps taken towards the construction of the proposed Gadkhal bypass.
Expressing concern over the condition of roads in the area, the court also directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Solan, to inspect the road stretch from Gadkhal to Kasauli and submit a report regarding its condition. The officer has also been asked to inspect the Dharampur-Gadkhal road and furnish comments before the next date of hearing.
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The court further impleaded the Superintending Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), Solan Circle, as a respondent in the case and directed him to file an affidavit stating when the Gadkhal-Kasauli road was last resurfaced or tarred.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 2, 2026.
The proceedings reflect the High Court’s growing concern over infrastructure bottlenecks in key tourist destinations and the impact of poor road conditions and traffic congestion on residents and visitors alike.
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