Shimla, Nov. 28 -- District administration on Thursday withdrew the permission for the use of explosives and controlled blasting for the under-construction twin-tube tunnel at Bhattakufar on National Highway-05 (Shimla Bypass Package-II), after a significant sinking was detected on the Mehli-Dhalli road. The administration has taken the step as a precaution, citing concerns that the subsidence may be linked to tunnelling activity beneath the affected zone.

The decision was given by the directorate of industries, district authorities in Shimla following the report of Geological Wing.

This comes five days after a Class 8 student of a private school fell into a pit caused after a portion of the road caved in the Bhattakufer area of Shimla,...