Mussoorie Highway Collapse: Illegal Excavation Blamed for Major Road Cave-In
A significant section of National Highway 707A near Gandhi Chowk in Mussoorie caved in on Thursday evening, causing major traffic disruptions to key destinations such as the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Kempty Falls, and parts of Tehri and Uttarkashi districts. The collapse, which worsened from a minor afternoon cave-in to a nearly 25-metre stretch by evening, has been attributed to illegal excavation activities by adjoining property owners.
Root Cause: Unauthorized Construction and Excavation
Officials revealed that the owners of a neighboring property had been conducting stone cutting and excavation using heavy machinery for over a week to expand their plot. Although the sanctioned construction plan allowed work only 12 metres from the highway's centre line, excavation was allegedly carried out up to just four metres from the road. This reckless activity destabilized the hillside, leading to the embankment's collapse and forcing authorities to completely shut down the road for safety reasons.
Legal Actions and Penalties Imposed
In response to the incident, police have registered an FIR under relevant sections based on a complaint by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) against property owners Anita Thalwal, Sunita Dhanai, and Satish Goyal. Rahul Anand, the sub-divisional magistrate of Mussoorie, stated that strict action has been taken, including a monetary penalty to cover reconstruction costs. Additionally, the mining department has issued a challan, and the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has cancelled the sanctioned map for the property.
Broader Issues of Illegal Construction in Mussoorie
Authorities have highlighted that some houses along the highway were built illegally, a trend that residents say is becoming increasingly common in the town. An anonymous resident commented, "Illegal construction is increasing in Mussoorie, and there is little fear of MDDA among residents. At times, officials also turn a blind eye to such activities." To address this, officials from MDDA and the mining department have been directed to intensify monitoring of construction activities to prevent future incidents.
Reconstruction Efforts and Timeline
Meanwhile, reconstruction work on the collapsed highway stretch is set to begin soon. Authorities are making efforts to complete the repairs within a month to restore normal traffic flow and ensure the safety of commuters and residents in the region.
