Shimla, Dec. 17 -- A study conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has stated that the sinkhole incident at Bhatakhufar on the Kaithlighat-Shimla National Highway was primarily caused by human-induced factors, notably persistent water leakage from underground pipelines and vibrations generated during tunnel construction for the four-lane project.
The report calls the incident "purely anthropogenic" and recommends a complete ban on blasting in the area, while manual construction may continue under strict safeguards.
In its report submitted to Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, the GSI stated that the caving in of the metalled road was "purely anthropogenic" in nature.
The report identified continuous leakage from two nea...