📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / NikkSingh
Local
Cracks in Shimla homes spark scrutiny of ongoing tunnel project
✍️ Daily Excelsior
🗓 18 Oct 2026, 07:31 AM
👁 19
Residents of Shimla have reported cracks in their houses after tunnel construction began, prompting authorities to examine the project's safety.
The state government’s tunnel project in Shimla, part of a broader effort to improve connectivity in the hilly capital of Himachal Pradesh, has come under fire after several residents complained of structural damage to their homes.
Local residents say the cracks appeared shortly after excavation work intensified near residential zones, raising concerns about ground stability and the adequacy of engineering safeguards.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department has ordered an immediate inspection, and a panel of geotechnical experts has been tasked to assess the impact of the tunnelling on nearby structures.
Officials have assured that construction will be halted if the investigation finds any breach of safety norms, while also promising compensation for affected homeowners pending the final report.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on infrastructure development in fragile mountainous regions, with urban planners urging stricter monitoring and community consultation.
Local residents say the cracks appeared shortly after excavation work intensified near residential zones, raising concerns about ground stability and the adequacy of engineering safeguards.
The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department has ordered an immediate inspection, and a panel of geotechnical experts has been tasked to assess the impact of the tunnelling on nearby structures.
Officials have assured that construction will be halted if the investigation finds any breach of safety norms, while also promising compensation for affected homeowners pending the final report.
The incident has sparked a broader debate on infrastructure development in fragile mountainous regions, with urban planners urging stricter monitoring and community consultation.