The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of chronic traffic congestion and the deteriorating condition of the Gadkhal-Kasauli road, directing the state government to submit a detailed status report on the proposed Gadkhal bypass aimed at easing traffic on the busy tourist route.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed that the road linking Gadkhal with the popular hill station of Kasauli has become a major source of inconvenience for tourists and local residents due to persistent traffic jams, particularly during the peak tourist season.

The approximately 3.02-km link road branching off the Kalka-Shimla National Highway-5 towards Kasauli is narrow and heavily congested. The Lawrence School, Sanawar, is also located along the stretch. Traffic snarls are particularly severe during weekends and summer vacations.

In its order, the court noted that despite recurring bottlenecks, no effective measures appeared to have been taken to address the problem. The Bench said it had been informed about a proposal to construct an alternate route bypassing the congested stretch and sought details of the progress made so far.

“It has come to the notice of this Court that the stretch from Gadkhal to Kasauli has become a nightmare for tourists and local residents, as there is constant traffic congestion, especially during the tourist season, and no efforts have been made to address the issue,” the court observed.

The Bench directed the state government to file instructions on the steps taken towards construction of the proposed bypass. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 2.

Expressing concern over the condition of the road, the court also directed the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Solan, to conduct an on-site inspection of the Gadkhal-Kasauli road as well as the Dharampur-Gadkhal stretch and submit a report before the next hearing.

The court further impleaded the Superintending Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), Solan Circle, as a respondent and directed him to file an affidavit specifying when the road was last resurfaced or tarred.

Meanwhile, in a separate matter, the same Bench took serious note of improper waste disposal in Dharamshala and directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, officials of the Pollution Control Board and the Municipal Corporation, Dharamshala, to submit reports by July 2.

The court observed that solid waste was allegedly being dumped in an unscientific manner along a highway below the HRTC workshop in Dharamshala. It also expressed concern over the poor condition of a state highway near Kangra where tunnels are under construction.

The Secretary, DLSA, Dharamshala, has been directed to inspect both the waste disposal site and the affected road stretch and submit a report before the next hearing.