High Court Seeks Report on Condition of Shimla–Bilaspur Road Section

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken serious note of the deteriorating condition of the Shimla–Bilaspur National Highway (NH-205) and directed the Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) of Solan and Bilaspur to inspect the stretch between Kalhar Bala and Nauni Chowk. The court has asked them to submit a detailed report with photographs before the next hearing.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ziya Lal Bhardwaj observed that the concessionaire, M/s Gawar KBNC Highway Pvt. Ltd., responsible for maintaining and widening the section between KM 41.000 and KM 58.450 (approximately 17.45 km), is obligated under the concession agreement dated May 16, 2024, to keep the highway pothole-free and ensure proper service quality and road safety.

The bench noted that it could not accept the claims made in the affidavit filed by the concessionaire, remarking that the condition of the road remains “pathetic.”

According to an affidavit submitted by the Project Director of NHAI (PIU, Hamirpur), the concessionaire is maintaining the stretch from Bharari Ghat to Namhol, which falls under the jurisdiction of PIU Hamirpur. The court observed that the section from Darlaghat to Bharari Ghat comes under PIU Shimla and directed that an affidavit from PIU Shimla also be filed before the next hearing.

The DLSA Secretaries have further been instructed to inspect whether any water streams or flows in the area are contributing to the road’s damage and erosion, especially given the heavy traffic moving towards Shimla from various parts of the state.

Emphasizing the importance of the route, the bench noted that the Shimla–Bilaspur Highway serves as a crucial lifeline connecting the state capital with major districts such as Bilaspur, Solan, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Chamba, and Lahaul-Spiti. Therefore, the road must be maintained in a motorable condition.

The court listed the matter for further hearing on November 27.