Shimla June 7
A Hundreds of aspirants were reportedly unable to reach their examination centres for the Himachal Pradesh State Eligibility Test (HP SET) 2026 on Sunday after a major traffic disruption on the Shimla-Mandi-Manali highway. A crane overturned near Kanda Jail Crossing, close to Ghanahatti, blocking the road for several hours and bringing traffic to a standstill.
According to commuters, no buses from the Mandi-Manali side were able to reach Shimla in the morning due to the prolonged closure. The disruption coincided with the conduct of several examinations, including HP SET, leaving many candidates stranded en route and unable to report to their centres on time despite starting their journeys early.
Affected students have questioned the preparedness of the administration, alleging that inadequate traffic management and the absence of effective alternative arrangements resulted in genuine candidates losing a crucial career opportunity. HP SET is a key examination for determining eligibility for Assistant Professor positions in colleges and universities.
Candidates have urged the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC) to consider conducting a special re-examination for those affected by the traffic blockade after proper verification. They argue that the circumstances were beyond their control and that denying them an opportunity to appear would be unfair.
The incident has sparked criticism of the government’s handling of highway emergencies, with students and parents demanding accountability and measures to ensure that such disruptions do not jeopardize the future of aspirants. The focus is now on whether HPPSC and the state government will provide relief to affected candidates by offering a fresh chance to take the examination.
