Do we really need 4-laning in hills?

H. Kishie Singh

Indian Stretchable Time is infamous! Indians are known to be the most unpunctual breed on Earth. Always in a rush, never on time! Witness the maniacs overtaking from the left or zooming by from the right. You catch them at the next red light. Wonder what was the need to speed?

Two of the most delightful drives in the country were the Kalka-Shimla road and the drive to Manali along Beas river. Slowly and serenely you wound your way. You had time to enjoy the scenery. For many it was a first brush with the Himalayas, rushing rivers and snow-clad peaks. The journey was relaxing. In the lap of Mother Nature, absorbing its beauty, cocooned in the luxury and safety of your car...

You stopped along the way at a dhaba. The king of snacks was, of course, a freshly plucked bhutta. As you waited, the mist rolled in and kissed you gently on the cheek. The first few drops of rain on the soil released the petrichor, that delightful earthy smell. You sat in the car munching on the bhutta garnished with nimboo and rock salt, the rain came thundering down. 

All these delights have disappeared in the onslaught of progress.  The Kalka-Shimla highway is being 4-laned. The idea is to reduce the driving time from 5-6 hours to 3. Why? To begin with you will miss the beauty of the mountains, the pine trees, the oaks and rhododendrons. And the moot question: Why does anyone want to go to Shimla? No parking, no water, frequent power cuts.

An old Shimla hand took a friend for a day’s drive to Shimla last summer. From Victory Tunnel, he was directed to Lakkar Bazaar. Reason: No parking! On to Sanjauli and St. Bead’s, no parking! On to Chotta Shimla, no parking! Three hours later he was back at Victory Tunnel. He came back to Chandigarh after 12 hours on the road!

With the vast experience of 4-laning the Kalka-Shimla highway, the same engineering experience, or the lack of it is being replicated on the 42-km Kullu-Manali stretch. The current fatality rate is one a day! This is only the beginning.

Again, the same question: why does anyone want to go to Manali? Well, all tourist activity in Himachal centres around Rohtang Pass. Before the National Green Tribunal put a cap on cars going to Rohtang top, it was a free for all. Since there were no rules or restrictions, about 3,000 vehicles would go up to Rohtang top! The 100-km drive, Manali-Rohtang and back, was taking 8 to 10 hours! You practically spent the day stuck in traffic! See photograph.

Now swallow this: 965m one-way Barog bypass tunnel started in 2015 has not yet been completed. Four years, crores spent to reduce a distance from Shimla to Chandigarh by 3.5 km. No accountability, no sensibility. No justification. 

Do we need 4-laning or do we need to preserve our natural heritage?

Happy Motoring!