Sanjauli residents seek review of proposed tunnel alignment

“The demand is based on the vulnerability of the area and the apprehension that further tunnelling may lead to additional damage to buildings and substantial loss to life and property,” Chauhan said.

He said a Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted pursuant to directions of the Supreme Court to examine issues concerning NHAI works, recently visited Shimla. Local residents and affected persons apprised the committee members of the problems they allegedly faced due to tunnelling activities.

Chauhan said the concerns highlighted during the site inspection underscored the need for an independent technical assessment and a review of the proposed alignment before any further tunnelling work is undertaken.

Meanwhile, Bhattakufar ward councillor Narinder Thakur demanded a fair, comprehensive and time-bound compensation mechanism for people whose residential, commercial or other properties have allegedly suffered damage due to tunnelling.

Thakur said compensation should cover not only visible structural damage but also repair and restoration, retrofitting and strengthening of vulnerable buildings, and financial and business losses suffered by affected property owners. He also sought consideration of consequential losses caused by disruption and damage, besides the distress and insecurity experienced by residents living in damaged or vulnerable structures.

Several affected properties, he said, are located close to commercial areas and markets and have significant commercial value. Damage to these properties has therefore resulted not only in structural concerns but also in financial and livelihood losses, he added.