By SUNIL SONKER
Mussoorie, 20 Jul: The first major impact of the monsoon in Mussoorie has exposed the reality of development works. Following a massive landslide near ‘Paani Wala Bend’ on the Mussoorie-Dehradun route—which caused a large crack in the road and ongoing erosion—the district administration has completely closed the route as a precautionary measure. There are fears of further major land subsidence at any moment following the collapse of a significant section of the road.
After heavy rains on Monday, a large portion of the hillside in the ‘Paani Wala Bend’ area shifted, damaging more than half of the main road. While small vehicles were initially allowed to pass under a one-way system, the administration halted traffic across the entire route for safety reasons due to the widening cracks and the risk of further landslides. Consequently, tourists, local residents, and traders traveling to and from Mussoorie are facing immense difficulties.
Locals state that, following the 2025 disaster, lakhs of rupees were spent at this very location to construct retaining walls and protective structures to safeguard the road. Claims had been made that the road would remain secure in the event of future landslides, but the first major monsoon rain has exposed the hollowness of those claims. Along with the road subsidence, the protective retaining wall was also damaged, raising serious questions about the quality of the construction work.
Meera Saklani, Chairperson of the Mussoorie Municipal Council, inspected the site and gathered details about the situation from officials. She directed the concerned departments to expedite relief and safety operations. She stated that all vulnerable areas are being monitored during the monsoon, and swift action will be ensured in the event of any disaster.
Former MLA Jot Singh Gunsola has levelled serious allegations against the Public Works Department regarding the matter. He remarked that the fact that a structure built just six months ago sustained damage during the very first spell of rain points towards corruption and negligence. Citing the Chief Minister’s “zero-tolerance” policy, he demanded a high-level inquiry into the entire affair and action against the officials and contractors found guilty.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain in the coming days. This has heightened the administration’s concerns, as several other locations along the Mussoorie-Dehradun route are also considered landslide-prone. The administration has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to adhere to the issued advisories.
Crores of rupees are spent annually on hill roads and safety infrastructure; yet, why do roads and retaining walls fail during the first major spell of rain? Is this merely the impact of natural disasters, or the result of compromised quality in construction? The incident at ‘Paani Wala Bend’ has once again raised serious questions regarding the transparency and quality of construction work in the hills. All eyes are now fixed on the administration’s investigation and subsequent actions.
