Failed twice, NH erosion tech faces 3rd test

Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, November 19

After failing to check erosion twice on the Parwanoo-Solan national highway where four-laning is under way, twin shotcrete and rock-bolting engineering technologies are being put to test yet again —at Rabon Chowk in Solan. 

The techniques, used abroad on erosion-prone highways, had failed to contain loose strata along the hillside near a petrol pump in Dharampur and next to a school in Jabli. The developments had raised a question mark over the efficacy of the implementation of these modern techniques.

This time, these techniques would be used at the chowk in Solan where a high-tension tower lies precariously perched atop a hill even as nearby residents are apprehensive of its success.

In Dharampur, the twin technologies couldn’t check erosion even for a few months. Six houses along the hill were rendered unsafe and had to be demolished. The same technique was used to repair the damaged retaining wall of Government Senior Secondary School, Jabli, but not much success could be achieved. The school too had to be vacated. Kiran, a commuter, said, “The four-laning company should instead construct high retaining walls so that the tower doesn’t collapse amid heavy rains. The district administration must intervene to ensure the work is effective.” 

Susheel Ahuja, a senior official at GR Infraprojects Limited, the company executing the project, said technical experts were already handling the work at Rabon Chowk to ensure a stable structure was put in place.

Solan Deputy Commissioner KC Chaman said the work was being monitored minutely and an expert would be roped in to examine the site to gauge the stability of the work. “The company has assured us it will build a strong structure, which can withstand adverse conditions,” he said.