NHAI plans to conduct a building-condition survey of about 500 homes along the Bhatta-Kufar–Chalaunthi twin-tunnel alignment in Shimla before construction resumes. The reported decision follows cracks in homes near Shanti Vihar in Sanjauli and means the immediate next step is documenting properties and addressing safety concerns, rather than announcing a restart date.
The development was reported on 10 Oct 2026 by Amar Ujala and The News Himachal, both of which attributed the survey plan to NHAI officials. The reports said the work has been halted while the concerns are examined.
Key takeaways
- NHAI plans photographs and videography to record the existing condition of around 500 homes above or near the tunnel alignment.
- The survey is planned before stalled tunnelling work resumes; the reports do not give a restart date.
- The twin-tunnel section is about 2.712 kilometres long, with roughly 700 metres of work reported as complete.
- An IIT team is examining possible causes of the cracks, while residents have sought safety assurances and restoration measures.
What NHAI plans before work resumes
The reported survey is intended to create a dated record of the condition of buildings before further tunnelling. NHAI officials said each home in the affected alignment would be photographed and assessed. Buildings found to be in poor condition would be considered for repairs, while structurally weak structures could be strengthened before construction moves ahead.
That baseline matters because it separates pre-existing damage from any later change during construction. It also gives residents and the project authorities a common record to use when discussing restoration or other remedial work. The two latest reports say NHAI wants to address homeowners’ concerns and secure their confidence before restarting the work.
Why the twin-tunnel work is on hold
Residents in and around Shanti Vihar, Sanjauli and Bhatta-Kufar reported cracks in several buildings during the tunnel work. The reports attribute the stoppage to those complaints, but they do not establish that the tunnel construction caused every reported crack.
Hindustan Times reported on 2 Oct 2026 that NHAI officials had said the Chalonthi–Bhattakufar work was stopped after cracks were reported and that an IIT Roorkee team had begun a geotechnical study. The technical findings were to be considered before further action. That distinction is important: the reported survey and the expert review are safeguards in progress, not a final finding of responsibility.
What the project means for drivers
For motorists, the immediate issue is project timing and construction safety. The 10 Oct reports describe a planned survey and a stalled worksite; they do not announce a new toll fee, a FASTag rule or a confirmed route closure. Drivers heading towards Shimla should therefore check current local traffic instructions before travelling, because any future restart could come with temporary traffic-management arrangements.
People planning a hill journey can use the FuelPrice road-trip planner to review the route and expected travel time before setting out. This is particularly useful if an official notice later requires a short diversion or changes the approach to the work zone.
A longer or slower route can also alter fuel use. The fuel-cost calculator lets drivers estimate the trip cost using their own distance and mileage assumptions, instead of treating a project update as a fixed rupee impact.
For current pump rates before departure, readers can check the latest fuel prices and then update the trip estimate if the route or vehicle changes.
Project scale and the next checkpoints
The twin tunnels between Bhatta-Kufar and Chalaunthi are reported to be about 2.712 kilometres long, with about 700 metres completed. The alignment passes below or close to a built-up hillside area, which is why the condition record is central to the restart decision.
Readers should watch for three concrete updates: completion of the house-by-house survey, publication or communication of the technical findings on the cracks, and an official restart notice that explains repairs, strengthening and traffic management. Until those steps are clarified, the reported position remains that construction is paused.
Reader takeaway
The important change is a pre-resumption safety survey, not a change in tolls or fuel prices. For local residents, the value of the survey will depend on whether it produces a credible property record and a transparent repair plan. For drivers, the practical check is to look for an official traffic advisory before using the affected Shimla approach once work activity changes.
Frequently asked questions
Has the Shimla twin-tunnel work restarted?
The latest reports say the work remains halted and that the building-condition survey is to be carried out before construction resumes. No restart date was reported.
What will the survey record?
NHAI officials said photographs and videography would document the existing condition of homes along the alignment. The reports also mention assessment, repair and strengthening for buildings that need attention.
Is there a new toll or FASTag rule?
Not in the reports covering this development. They concern the safety review and construction schedule for the tunnel project.
Sources
- Amar Ujala, Kathlighat-Dhalli four-lane project: Buildings to be surveyed before construction of Bhatta-Kufar, 10 Oct 2026
- The News Himachal, NHAI to Survey 500 Houses Before Resuming Shimla Twin Tunnel Work, 10 Oct 2026
- Hindustan Times, Shimla: IIT experts start survey, twin-tunnel work on hold: NHAI, 2 Oct 2026
