Recurring landslips in Himachal no deterrent to tourists

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 28

A slew of fatal landslides in hilly terrains have failed to deter tourists from rushing to hilly areas in the monsoons.

Vehicles can be seen lined up along the Kalka-Shimla National Highway (NH)-5 where the excavation work is under way for its four-laning. Since the highway leads to Solan, Shimla and Kinnaur districts, a huge influx of vehicles is usually witnessed.

The incidents of stones rolling down onto the highway is a recurring problem. Excavation is under way near Timber Trail Resorts, where a bridge is being constructed. The stretch between Solan and Kandaghat is vulnerable.

One can estimate the traffic influx from the toll collected at the Parwanoo inter-state barrier. A toll of Rs 4.05 lakh was collected last Sunday while the figure had touched Rs 4.07 lakh in the previous weekend, said officials of the State Taxes and Excise.

Keeping in view the landslides, officials of the National Highways Authority of India have also put in place preventive measures.

Project Director, NHAI, Suresh Sharma, said, “The work has been deferred at 15 or 16 sites on the Parwanoo-Kaithlighat section where the strata is fragile and the probability of landslides is high. Specific measures have been suggested by the Geological Survey of India to stabilise the slope, especially near the toll plaza at Sanwara. An estimate of about Rs 6 crore has been worked out and, if approved, the work will be initiated soon. Depending on its success, similar measures can be adopted at other slopes where landslides are reoccurring.”