Traffic restored after JCB clears road; fresh rockfall threat keeps commuters on edge
Shimla, October 7: A section of hillside gave way on the busy Sanjauli-Dhalli bypass in Shimla on Wednesday afternoon, sending a large quantity of debris and boulders crashing onto the road and narrowly missing passing vehicles.
The incident occurred around 3.15 pm, when several vehicles were moving along the bypass. A video of the landslide, which shows debris tumbling onto the road as vehicles pass nearby, has since surfaced on social media. Soon after the incident was reported, a JCB deployed at a nearby construction site was pressed into service to clear the road. The debris and loose rocks were removed and traffic was partially restored within a short time.
However, the danger has not completely passed. Loose stones continue to pose a risk of further rockfall from the affected slope, raising concerns among motorists using the busy bypass.The incident also highlights the recurring landslide risk along the Sanjauli-Dhalli stretch. On June 18, a major landslide at the same bypass had brought traffic to a standstill for nearly two hours after huge boulders, a large tree and tonnes of debris fell onto the road.
With repeated slope failures being reported during periods of adverse weather and sudden changes in conditions, the latest incident is likely to renew concerns over the stability of vulnerable slopes and the need for preventive measures along the busy Shimla road corridor.
