Archive · 16 Dec 2025
GSI Report Blames Water Leakage, Tunnel Vibrations for Shimla Cave-In
A road in Shimla collapsed because water was leaking from underground pipes and there were strong vibrations from building a tunnel nearby.
An 8-year-old girl named Priyanshi fell into a big hole that formed.
Experts say the main problem was the water leakage, but the vibrations from the tunnel construction also made it worse.
The experts told the government to stop using explosions for building the tunnel, but they can still build it by hand.
The government is now checking all the underground pipes to make sure this doesn't happen again.
They are also helping people whose houses got damaged because of the construction.
Water leakage from two underground pipes was the primary cause of the road cave-in near Shimla.
Vibrations from tunnel construction activities were identified as a secondary cause.
The GSI recommended a ban on blasting activities for tunnel construction in the area.
An 8-year-old student, Priyanshi, fell into a sinkhole measuring 2.2m x 1.5m x 4m.
The Deputy Commissioner sought a detailed report from the construction company and assured assistance to affected residents.
- Who
- Geological Survey of India (GSI), Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, Priyanshi (victim)
- What
- Road cave-in due to water leakage and tunnel construction vibrations
- When
- Incident on November 22; report submitted on an unspecified Tuesday in November 2023
- Where
- Bhattakuffar roundabout, outskirts of Shimla
- Why
- Water leakage from underground pipes and vibrations from tunnel construction activities
- Incident Date
- November 22
- Location
- Bhattakuffar roundabout, Shimla
- Primary Cause
- Water leakage from underground pipes
- Secondary Cause
- Vibrations from tunnel construction
- Victim
- Priyanshi, 8-year-old student
- Sinkhole Dimensions
- 2.2m length, 1.5m width, 4m depth
- GSI Recommendation
- Ban on blasting activities for tunnel construction