Road Reopens After Landslide Blockage
The Shiller-Pathia link road in Kasauli subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district has reopened to vehicular traffic after being blocked for over two weeks by landslides. The Public Works Department (PWD) deployed laborers to clear debris and uprooted trees that had accumulated during heavy monsoon rains, but driving on the stretch remains hazardous as the hillside continues to erode.
Construction of the 3.5-km road cost Rs 3.5 crore last year, but the work has been criticized for poor quality. No slope protection measures were implemented after excavation, leading to continuous erosion. Several retaining walls built after construction failed soon after completion, exacerbating the situation during the monsoon.
Poor Construction and Environmental Damage
The road, strewn with muck and debris, resembled an environmental disaster, with only a narrow footpath accessible to pedestrians. The lack of an authorized dumping site added to the challenges for PWD workers while clearing the debris. Residents alleged that despite an existing pedestrian path, the project involved only limited road widening and the construction of a few substandard culverts.
The project was funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Former Kasauli MLA Dr. Rajiv Saizal laid the foundation stone in October 2020, and the road was inaugurated in 2022 even though concretization was incomplete. It was inaugurated again in July 2025 by Congress MLA Vinod Sultanpuri despite sections already being damaged.
PWD Plans Slope Stabilization
Gurminder Rana, Executive Engineer of PWD's Kasauli division, said a tender worth Rs 13 lakh would soon be floated to install crate wire structures to stabilize the vulnerable slope. Work will begin after the monsoon once weather conditions improve. He added that a reinforced cement concrete retaining wall constructed earlier could not withstand the large volume of water and debris during heavy rains.
Motorists continue to face difficulties due to potholes, accumulated rainwater, and slush, making the road hazardous. The lack of timely metalling has compounded the problem.
Funding and Inauguration Controversy
The road, funded by NABARD, has been marred by repeated inaugurations and incomplete work. Residents voiced frustration over the poor planning, alleging that most of the budget was spent on limited widening and substandard culverts rather than ensuring long-term stability. The Shiller-Pathia road serves as a critical connection for villages in the Kasauli area, and its blockage forced residents to take long detours. The reopening has brought relief, but the underlying structural issues remain unresolved. The PWD's plan to install crate wire structures offers hope, but until then, the road remains a risky passage.
