Big cracks on road near selfie point at the Atal Tunnel's North Portal

On the afternoon of April 1st, residents of Sissu noticed alarming cracks along National Highway 03 near the Atal Tunnel's North Portal, raising concerns about the tunnel's structural integrity. Locals are worried about the potential impact of these cracks on tourism and road safety, emphasizing the need for prompt action from authorities.

Rahul Sharma, another resident, shared his concerns about the impact on tourism, stating, "This road sees a lot of tourists, and if they hear about these cracks, it could affect our livelihoods. The authorities must act fast to ensure everyone's safety."

The Atal Tunnel North Portal (NP) is located at an altitude of 3,071 meters near Telling village, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley. Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 3 October 2020, it cost ₹3,200 crore and was completed by the BRO under the Ministry of Defence. The tunnel and road reduce the distance by 46 km between Manali and Leh and the travel time by about 4 to 5 hours. A journey from Manali to Lahaul and Spiti Valley now takes a little over 15 minutes.

Atal Tunnel cracks raise safety concerns

Ashok Kumar, the Panchayat Secretary of Sissu, highlighted the serious concerns arising from the developing cracks near the selfie point at the Atal Tunnel's North Portal. Speaking to Ground Report, Ashok Kumar said, "In the aftermath of last year's floods, the entire area has witnessed significant structural issues, including extensive cracking." He expressed particular worry about the influx of tourists in the area, as this could further exacerbate the situation due to the already weakened structural integrity caused by the floods.

Kumar also pointed out that irresponsible cutting activities in the region have contributed significantly to the increased severity of these cracks. "The reckless cutting activities have resulted in more severe cracks, some extending up to 600mm," he noted.

When Ground Report reached out to Shubham Singh, JE at Border Roads Organisation (BRO), he declined to comment, citing personal leave.

However, District Council Chairperson Anuradha Rana confirmed the restoration of the road by BRO and the ongoing construction of a protection wall. "I have discussed with the team at BRO, and the road has been restored. They have completed their work, and we are currently constructing a protection wall," Anuradha Rana told Ground Report.

She added, "We have contingency plans in place, but dividing the road is necessary due to the cracks caused by the river. It is the demand of the village that the river be diverted to ensure their safety. If we do not divert it now, the village faces the greatest risk."

Blasting blamed for cracks in mountains

Guman Singh, a Kullu-based environmentalist, speaking to Ground Report said, "Unscientific tunnelling and blasting of mountains, causing cracks in the land from Mandi to Aut due to the fragile geology in the region."

"He added, 'The cracks are emerging due to fault lines, Himachal Pradesh exhibits numerous tectonic features, including fault lines, which significantly influence the state's seismic hazard, which indicates that the land has significantly weakened. It is essential for me to personally inspect the area to understand the actual causes behind these phenomena. This will help in comprehensively understanding the nature of these cracks and their ongoing formation.'"

According to the BIS seismic zoning map, several districts in Himachal Pradesh face a high risk of severe seismic intensity to fault lines (MSK IX or more), notably Chamba (53.2%), Hamirpur (90.9%), Kangra (98.6%), Kullu (53.1%), and Mandi (97.4%). The seismic activity in Himachal Pradesh is primarily influenced by fault events occurring in the western Himalayas, central Himalayas, and Indo-Gangetic plain regions.

Rajeev, the Sarpanch of Sissu, echoed similar concerns about land movement due to heavy snowfall and floods. He emphasized the need for strategic river diversion or alternative approaches by BRO to prevent further incidents. Rajeev also highlighted the lack of official visits to assess the situation, urging timely action to mitigate risks to the village and its residents.

Rainfall has increased in Himachal Pradesh in recent years, but the trend is less than over the long term. Between 2011 and 2020, the number of days with very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall increased from 74 to 118 in Himachal Pradesh.

He said, "Due to heavy snowfall and last year's floods, the entire area experienced a massive slide. After that, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) began cutting the area to construct roads. This year, with heavy snowfall, new cracks have appeared, spanning 50 feet from the river below to the top, causing significant land displacement."

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