Kangra families on edge as 4-lane work threatens homes

At Thaanpuri, near Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district, two families — those of Banwari Lal and Veer Singh — have become unintended victims of the ongoing four-lane highway construction. The project has not only blocked their decades-old access routes but also placed their homes in grave danger just as the monsoon sets in.

Desperate for protection, the families have been forced to cover the dangerously exposed vertical slopes beside their homes with tarpaulin — mostly at their own expense — spending anxious, sleepless nights fearing a collapse.

The site falls on an 18-km stretch between Thaanpuri and Parore, currently being widened under NH-154, which connects Pathankot with Mandi. The work, awarded to Ridhi Sidhi Constructions, has progressed at a sluggish pace. In the process, the contractor failed to account for the vulnerability of adjacent homes — particularly during the rains.

The steep vertical cuts, made alarmingly close to the houses, were left without any protective barriers. The lack of a retaining wall placed both structures at immediate risk of sliding into the void below. After repeated pleas by the families and media pressure, the construction company has finally begun erecting a protective wall.

“One night of heavy rain and everything could be gone. We’re not sleeping — we’re just waiting for some solid support before it’s too late,” said a visibly distressed Veer Singh. He recounted how he had run from pillar to post for intervention — relief which is only now beginning to materialise. His major concern is that the company must extend the retaining wall to the top, nearly 15 feet above ground level, to ensure real safety.

“You never leave a slope unprotected next to houses in hilly terrain — especially not with monsoons approaching,” said an engineer from the state PWD, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Banwari Lal highlighted how the four-lane construction has also cut off their direct access to the main road. “Earlier, there was a proper approach. Now, just stepping outside at night is dangerous — the ground is crumbling beneath our feet.”

Vikas Surjewala, Project Director of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) overseeing the Pathankot-Mandi project, told The Tribune, “We are concerned for these families. Remedial steps are already underway, including the construction of a retaining wall and compensation for the unduly affected.”

This isn’t an isolated incident. Across Kangra district, the poorly planned excavations and incomplete infrastructure linked to the Pathankot-Mandi highway project have endangered homes, damaged local roads and disrupted drainage systems. Now, with the monsoon in full swing, fear of further landslides, property damage and accidents looms large over the region.

Himachal Tribune