9 Himachal Pradesh families vacate homes due to cracks, sinking land | India News

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KULLU: At least 9 families have been compelled to go away their homes in 5 Himachal Pradesh villages alongside Kiratpur-Manali freeway, saying unscientific highway widening by NHAI had made the land dangerously unstable.Most homes in Tanipari, Shala Nal, Jala Nal, Tanhul and Thalout in Balichowki subdivision developed cracks and agricultural land started sinking because the work started. All 5 villages overlook the freeway. Balichowki subdivisional Justice of the Peace Devi Singh mentioned the landslide poses a critical menace to the place. “The main reason behind landslides appears to be the highway widening work. We have spoken to NHAI and asked them to start constructing retaining walls at the landslide spots.“Shobha Ram Bhardwaj, an area, mentioned, “Our houses started developing cracks, and the land began to sink and slide three years ago when NHAI started widening the highway. The company hired for the job did not build the road scientifically but cut the hills vertically despite our protests.”On Monday, 28 members of 9 families from Tanipari, situated above the freeway tunnel, evacuated their homes after the landslide space reached nearly the sting of the village. Residents of the affected villages have sought compensation from NHAI, a requirement but to be accepted.