If you’re planning a road trip to Shimla this monsoon, then this is for you. A new study has raised concerns over one of Himachal Pradesh’s most important road corridors, Chandigarh-Shimla Highway, with nearly 60% of the 45-km Solan-Shimla stretch of NH-5 falling under moderate to very high landslide susceptibility zones. The study has also mapped 48 landslide sites along the stretch, highlighting the highway’s vulnerability during the monsoon.
Nearly 60% Of The Highway Is At Risk!
The Chandigarh-Shimla Highway is a crucial route connecting the state capital with Chandigarh and also serves as an important supply corridor for food, fuel and other essential commodities heading towards Kinnaur and remote border areas.
According to the landslide susceptibility mapping carried out by geologists, 12.83% of the studied area falls under the ‘very high’ susceptibility category, while 21.97% is classified as highly susceptible and another 26.58% as moderately susceptible.
On the other hand, according to The New Indian Express, around 24% of the stretch falls under low susceptibility, while 14.57% is categorised as very low susceptibility. In total, researchers identified 48 landslide locations across the 45-km Solan-Shimla corridor of the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway, making the findings particularly significant for people travelling through the route during the rainy season.
The study was conducted by researchers from Kurukshetra University, Banaras Hindu University, Netaji Subhash University of Technology, New Delhi, and NIIT University, Neemrana, and was published by Springer Nature on August 24.
Chandigarh-Shimla Highway Was Earlier A Single-Lane Road
The study points to a combination of natural and human factors behind the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway’s vulnerability. The Himalayan region has steep slopes, unstable geological formations and high relative relief, while heavy monsoon rainfall can act as a major trigger for slope failures.
The researchers also flagged road widening, slope modification, deforestation, infrastructure development and intensive cultivation as factors that can further disturb the natural stability of mountain slopes.
The highway has undergone a major transformation over the years. What was earlier a single-lane road has been widened into a four-lane dual carriageway, improving connectivity between Chandigarh and Shimla.
However, the study highlights the need to carefully manage slope stability alongside infrastructure development, particularly in a mountainous and seismically active region. The Solan-Shimla corridor predominantly falls under Seismic Zone IV, making it vulnerable to earthquake-related hazards, including landslides.
The findings are particularly relevant during the monsoon, when heavy rainfall can increase the possibility of landslides and road disruptions along Himalayan highways.
While the study does not suggest that the entire Chandigarh-Shimla route is unsafe, it underlines the high susceptibility of several sections, especially across the Solan-Shimla stretch.
Travellers heading towards Shimla during periods of heavy rain should therefore keep an eye on weather and road conditions, and check for official traffic advisories before starting their journey.
Also Read: Polish Tourist Calls Chandigarh “India’s Beverly Hills” & The Internet Agrees
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
Is the Chandigarh-Shimla highway at risk of landslides?
A new study has found that nearly 60% of the 45-km Solan-Shimla stretch of NH-5 falls under moderate to very high landslide susceptibility categories.
Why is the Solan-Shimla highway vulnerable to landslides?
The study points to steep slopes, unstable geological formations, high relative relief and heavy monsoon rainfall, along with human activities such as road widening, slope modification, deforestation and infrastructure development.
Is it safe to travel from Chandigarh to Shimla during the monsoon?
Travellers should exercise caution, particularly during heavy rainfall, and check weather conditions and official road advisories before starting their journey.
