Himachal Pradesh High Court Imposes Strict Timelines for NH-5 Upgrades
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued a decisive directive to accelerate the long-delayed construction and safety works on the crucial Parwanoo-Shimla segment of National Highway-5 (NH-5). In a significant move aimed at ensuring public safety and infrastructure efficiency, the court has mandated the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the local district administration to complete all pending tasks without any further postponement.
Critical Traffic and Safety Issues Addressed
According to an affidavit submitted by the Project Director of NHAI, traffic flow at Chakki Mod remains severely constrained, restricted to just two lanes over a 0.260-kilometer stretch. This bottleneck has been a persistent source of congestion and safety concerns for commuters. The court has been informed that the essential hill-side protection work at this location is scheduled for completion by April 15, 2026.
At another key site, Datiyar, while the retaining structure has been finished and traffic has been restored through a reconstructed lane, the road surface still requires tarring. The High Court has explicitly instructed the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures to finalize this work at the earliest possible opportunity.
Progress and Challenges in Slope Protection
The affidavit detailed the status of hill-side slope protection, a critical component for preventing landslides and ensuring road stability in the mountainous terrain. Out of 44 identified locations requiring such work, completion has been achieved at 36 sites. However, work is actively ongoing at only two locations: Datiyar and Chakki Mod.
Alarmingly, progress at six remaining sites has been halted due to a combination of legal disputes, local obstructions, and other unforeseen hindrances. A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj, noted that at least one of these locations—Kumarhada village—has no pending litigation. The court has therefore directed the district administration to provide full assistance to facilitate the execution of work there, emphasizing the need for proactive governance.
Four-Laning and Bypass Project Updates
On the broader four-laning initiative, the court reviewed the progress on the Solan-Kaithlighat stretch, which spans 21.051 kilometers. Reports indicate that work over 19.088 kilometers has been successfully completed, leaving 2.413 kilometers still under construction. This partial completion highlights both achievements and areas requiring intensified focus.
Similarly, the ambitious Kandaghat Bypass project, which includes a tunnel, a railway overbridge, and a viaduct, is advancing steadily. The tunnel portion, measuring 667 meters, has already been finished. The remaining structures are projected to be completed by November 2026, as per the commitments made to the court.
Judicial Oversight and Future Hearings
After taking the detailed progress report on record, the High Court has scheduled the next hearing for May 7. The bench has sternly warned all involved parties to adhere strictly to the submitted timelines and commitments. This judicial intervention underscores the court's role in monitoring infrastructure development to prevent delays that impact public welfare and economic activities in the region.
The court's involvement is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring accountability and timely completion of these vital highway upgrades, which are essential for enhancing connectivity, safety, and regional development in Himachal Pradesh.
