9-families-leave-homes-in-himachal-as-cracks-appear-land-sinks

As many as nine families have been forced to leave their homes in five villages of Himachal Pradesh along the Kiratpur-Manali highway. They alleged that the NHAI’s road widening work has made the land dangerously unstable.

 

Houses in Tanipari, Shala Nal, Jala Nal, Tanhul and Thalout have developed cracks, and farmland has started sinking since the construction began in these areas. These villages overlook the highway.

 

According to Balichowki subdivision magistrate Devi Singh, the landslides are a serious threat in these regions. “The main reason behind landslides appears to be the highway-widening work. We have spoken to NHAI and asked them to start constructing retaining walls at the landslide spots,” he added.

 

Local resident Shobha Ram Bhardwaj said cracks appeared in homes and the land started sliding three years ago when the widening work began. “The company cut the hills vertically without proper scientific planning, even though we protested,” he said.

 

On Monday, 28 people from nine families in Tanipari, located above the highway tunnel, evacuated their homes as the landslide came close to the village edge. Locals who are affected by this are asking NHAI for compensation. However, their demand has not been approved yet.

 

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