Shimla, Jan. 11 -- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Sunday assured all possible assistance to residents of Chalaunthi village in Shimla after cracks were observed in buildings near the under-construction four-lane Shimla bypass.

According to NHAI officials, cracks were observed late on the night of January 9 in a building near the ongoing highway construction. Following the incident, a joint building survey was conducted by NHAI authorities, during which minor to moderate cracks were found in the affected structure.

NHAI said that the acquisition process of two nearby buildings was already underway. Compensation for one building has been announced, while the acquisition proceedings for the second structure have been in...