Archive · 30 Oct 2025
NHAI Lacks Data on Vertical Hill Cuttings in Himachal, RTI Reveals
Imagine you want to know if a company building roads in a hilly area is cutting the hills very straight up and down.
Someone asked the road-building company, NHAI, for this information using a special information request.
The company said they don't have that information.
People are worried because they think the cutting is too steep and causing problems like landslides.
Experts think the company should know this and is maybe avoiding responsibility.
The company says they don't cut hills straight up and down, but always at an angle less than 90 degrees.
There have been some accidents and protests because of the road work, and the company also said natural disasters have damaged their roads, costing a lot of money.
NHAI claims no information on vertical hill cuttings (45-90 degrees) in Himachal Pradesh via RTI.
RTI filed amid public anger over unscientific hill cutting causing destruction and landslides.
NHAI reported approx. Rs 200 crore in damages from natural disasters to highways and machinery.
Geological experts criticize NHAI's denial as evasion of responsibility.
Recent protests halted construction on the Shoghi–Shimla four-lane section due to a house collapse.
- Who
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), The Indian Express, Geological experts, Himachal Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh
- What
- NHAI stated it has no information on locations with vertical hill cuttings between 45 and 90 degrees in Himachal Pradesh, despite public concern over unscientific cutting.
- When
- RTI filed in August; damages reported between January 2021 and July 2025.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, specifically mentioning project implement units in Shimla, Palampur, and Hamirpur, and the NH-154 stretch.
- Why
- The RTI was filed amid public resentment over unscientific hill cuttings leading to destruction, particularly during monsoons.
Critics (Geologists, IRC Member)
NHAI
Information on Hill Cutting Angles
Critics (Geologists, IRC Member)
NHAI's denial of information on vertical cuttings (45-90 degrees) is an attempt to evade responsibility and is not credible.
NHAI
NHAI officially states it has no such information and that hill cutting is done at angles less than 90 degrees, as 90-degree cuts are not feasible or sustainable.
Adherence to Standards
Critics (Geologists, IRC Member)
NHAI has not followed recommendations from the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), and construction is done unscientifically, leading to landslides.
NHAI
NHAI claims four-laning work is executed within the available Right of Way and in accordance with the standards and specifications prescribed by the IRC and MoRTH.
- RTI Filed
- August
- NHAI Total Damages (Jan 2021 - Jul 2025)
- Approx. Rs 200 crore
- Ongoing Projects Value
- Rs 11,483.156 crore
- Completed Projects
- Mo–Sihuni stretch (10 km), Parwanoo–Solan four-lane (40 km)
- NHAI Managed Highways in HP
- 785 km