Himachal Pradesh High Court Halts Sanjauli Tunnel Work Over Safety and Financial Concerns

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to immediately cease all construction activities on the Sanjauli twin-tube tunnel project, citing significant safety risks to nearby residential structures and questioning substantial financial irregularities.

The Chenab Times has learned that the directive comes amid allegations that the tunnel’s construction poses a direct threat to the integrity of houses in the vicinity. The court expressed strong reservations about the project’s progression, especially in light of potential financial losses amounting to Rs 600 crore from the public exchequer.

The judicial intervention was prompted by a petition filed by residents of Sanjauli, Shimla, who approached the High Court seeking an immediate halt to the tunnel construction. Petitioners alleged that the ongoing work had already caused damage to their homes, raising fears of more severe structural failures.

Court documents reveal that the NHAI had initially planned a surface highway as part of the Shimla bypass project on National Highway 05. Land acquisition for this surface route through Chhakrail, Bhatta Kuffar, and Dhalli was completed, and compensation to the tune of Rs 600 crore was disbursed to 88 families whose properties were demolished to make way for the highway.

However, the NHAI subsequently altered the project’s scope, opting for a twin-tube tunnel instead of the planned surface highway. This pivot in planning has drawn scrutiny, with the court demanding an explanation for the abandonment of the original plan and the financial implications that followed.

The court’s concerns were amplified by a document submitted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). This submission indicated that the GSI had issued an advisory against tunnel construction through the specific hill due to its density of housing, a warning that appears to have been disregarded by the project authorities.

Further compounding the concerns, the GSI report highlighted issues with water seepage from both sides of the tunnel excavation. The proximity of residential structures to the proposed tunnel route was also flagged, with certain points, including areas near the cemetery and Vishal Mega Mart, showing a mere 14-meter distance between the tunnel and the ground surface where numerous houses are situated.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, while passing the order, noted that while IIT Roorkee had been tasked with reviewing the tunnel construction records, there was no impediment to the court issuing an immediate stay on further work. The court has also sought accountability for the Rs 600 crore that was disbursed as compensation for land acquisition for the now-abandoned surface highway, emphasizing the need for a clear justification for the change in plan and the subsequent financial decision.

The directive to stop work on Package No. 2 of the tunnel project, which encompasses the section near Chalauthi, Sanjauli, and Bhatta Kuffar, signifies a critical juncture for the infrastructure development in the region. The court’s focus on both public safety and financial prudence in infrastructure projects underscores the importance of rigorous planning and adherence to expert advisories.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court’s suo motu intervention aims to address the grievances of the affected residents and ensure that infrastructure projects are executed with due diligence, considering the safety of citizens and the responsible utilisation of public funds. The future course of the Sanjauli twin-tunnel project will likely depend on the NHAI’s response and the subsequent review by the court.