Munish Sood
MANDI: What was promised as a lifeline project has turned into a nightmare for hundreds of families living along the NH-3 Chandigarh-Manali four-lane stretch in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
The ongoing expansion work, villagers allege, has been carried out with negligence by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors, leaving houses cracked, farmland destroyed and residents living under the shadow of disaster.
The crisis became stark at the residence of Gopal Singh Sen where deep fissures have opened up right in front of his house. Locals point to the absence of basic safety measures — no retaining walls, no drainage systems and careless slope cutting.
Rainwater steadily eroding hillside
With rainwater steadily eroding the hillside, the ground beneath houses has started giving way, forcing families to live in constant fear.
Nearby, the houses of Prakash and Dilip face similar devastation. Landslides have already begun and wide cracks have appeared across the structures. Even the local temple, where Prakash serves as priest, has not been spared. Villagers fear that the coming monsoon could wipe out these homes entirely.
On Friday (September 5, 2025), panchayat pradhan Jaya Devi visited the affected site to inspect the damage. She acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured locals that their concerns would be taken up with higher authorities.
Crisis Across Villages
What is unfolding in Gopal Sen’s neighbourhood is only one example of a much wider problem. Along the NH-3, residents of Deodhar, Madhwaan, Bhadwaahan, Talyaar, Saigloo, Tungal, Bir Tungal, Paprahal, Chaloh, Kotli and Sathole are all suffering the brunt of unscientific highway construction.
In Talyaar and Kotli, the road itself has begun to crumble, posing dangers not only to commuters but also to families living beneath steep excavation sites.
In Bir Tungal and nearby villages, unchecked soil erosion has triggered fresh landslides, cutting off access routes and leaving families trapped in fear.
In Deodhar, Madhwaan and Bhadwaahan, villagers complain that their farmland has been ruined and homes are developing alarming cracks.
Across the belt, a common pattern emerges: steep hillsides cut without reinforcement, drainage ignored and retaining walls either left incomplete or not built at all. The result has been destabilised slopes, collapsing structures and mounting human misery.
Case of criminal negligence
Residents are calling the situation nothing short of criminal negligence. They allege that the NHAI and its contractor have executed the four-lane project as if it were plain terrain, ignoring the fragile Himalayan ecology. The locals have issued three demands:
- Immediate safety measures — construction of retaining walls and drainage systems across vulnerable stretches.
- Fair compensation for families whose houses and farmlands have been damaged.
- Fixing accountability on officials and contractors responsible for unsafe construction.
They warn that unless corrective measures are taken, they will be left with no option but to launch a mass agitation against the NHAI.
When contacted, NHAI Project Director Honey Thakur said he was unaware of any such development. He said he would “respond and provide the required information after visiting his office”.
