Munish Sood
A major hill protection initiative undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) at Vishwakarma Chowk in Mandi has collapsed—literally and figuratively—after heavy rains rendered the newly installed safety measures ineffective. Despite an expenditure of ₹1.66 crore and claims of cutting-edge technology, the protective structure failed within just three months of completion, sparking public outrage and drawing criticism from the state’s Public Works Minister.
First Rainfall, Total Failure
The system—installed on a known landslide-prone slope above a densely populated residential area—collapsed on Sunday morning after a night of intense rain. Protective nets and mesh reinforcement gave way, causing a fresh spillage of debris onto the roads below and threatening several homes perched atop the hill.
The technology used, including self-drilling anchors, geo-mats, and mesh bolting, was being implemented for the first time in Himachal Pradesh. PWD engineers had earlier hailed it as a modern and durable solution to landslide risks. However, its complete failure in the very first spell of monsoon rains has cast serious doubts on both the quality of materials used and the competence of execution.
Minister Takes Strong Note
State Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has expressed his strong displeasure over the incident. Sources close to the minister confirmed that he is “extremely unhappy” with the manner in which the project was executed and has sought a detailed report from the department. A high-level review of all recent slope protection projects in sensitive areas is now expected to follow.
Local Residents Voice Anger
Residents of the Thanehada ward, which lies directly above the affected hillside, are living in fear. Local citizen Narinder Rana stated, “We were told that this technology would safeguard our homes. But today, our lives are in greater danger than before.” Another resident, Narpat Rana, demanded accountability, saying, “Who will take responsibility if a house collapses tomorrow? This is not a joke—it’s about people’s lives.”
Others accused the department of conducting hurried work with poor oversight, merely to show completion before the monsoon season. “The materials used appear substandard. The work was carried out with no seriousness,” said one local resident, adding that repeated warnings had gone unheard.
Public Demand for Accountability
This failure has reignited the demand for permanent structural solutions such as concrete retaining walls, rather than temporary, cosmetic fixes. Locals are urging the government to deploy geological experts to reassess the stability of the slope and implement long-term mitigation measures.
In the meantime, questions remain:
• Why was such a crucial project handed over without rigorous quality checks?
• Was there third-party oversight during implementation?
• And what measures will be taken now to protect residents?
What Lies Ahead
With the monsoon season just beginning, the situation demands immediate intervention. The PWD must now act with urgency—not just to repair the damage, but to restore public confidence and ensure that no lives are lost due to bureaucratic negligence and engineering oversight.
