Parwanoo, June 30 (UNI) The Parwanoo-Dharampur section of National Highway-5 (NH-5), particularly near Chakki Mod, faced renewed disruption over the weekend due to landslides triggered by monsoon rains.
The affected stretch, part of the four-lane highway maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), witnessed traffic congestion and partial road blockage, despite continued toll collection by the agency.
Visuals and videos circulated on social media platforms yesterday and today showed heavy accumulation of debris on the road, reducing traffic movement to a single lane.
According to commuters, traffic remained at a near standstill for extended periods. Among those reporting delays was former Deputy Mayor of Shimla, who shared his experience on social media, stating that the traffic had moved only a few metres in an hour before reaching the affected zone.
The Chakki Mod stretch has repeatedly witnessed similar issues during monsoon seasons over the past few years. In August 2023 and July 2022, landslides in the same area led to prolonged traffic blockages, raising concerns about the long-term stability of the slope along the widened highway. In 2021, heavy rains in the Solan region triggered slope failures that caused hours-long delays.
Following public concern and media coverage, the Himachal Pradesh High Court had intervened in the matter multiple times, including in 2021 and 2023.
The court questioned the NHAI over continued toll collection despite frequent disruptions and directed the agency to implement effective slope protection measures along vulnerable segments of the highway. However, recurring incidents at the same location have persisted.
The NHAI, in a recent communication, announced plans to stabilise 83 landslide-prone sites along the Parwanoo–Solan stretch, including Chakki Mod.
These measures include installation of green mesh, soil nailing, and construction of reinforced soil walls. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2026. However, commuters and local stakeholders have raised concerns about the pace of the work, particularly as the monsoon season intensifies.
The Parwanoo–Dharampur highway is a key route connecting Himachal Pradesh to Chandigarh and the plains. Frequent monsoon-related disruptions not only affect passenger mobility but also impact the movement of goods and services along this corridor.
UNI ML ARN