The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued notices to several respondents, including MAX Infra (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Dilip Buildcon Ltd., in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising serious concerns over the construction of the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line. The companies have been asked to file their responses within four weeks.
The PIL, filed by Bilaspur-based social worker Rajnish Sharma on June 30, 2025, highlights the growing distress among villagers whose homes have reportedly developed deep cracks due to ongoing tunnelling and blasting work for the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri railway line. The petitioner has alleged that the construction is being carried out in an “unscientific” manner, triggering tremors that are damaging property and putting lives at risk.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma heard the matter and scheduled the next hearing for August 13, 2025.
Sharma’s petition describes how some houses are located just 10 meters from the tunnel alignment and have sustained serious structural damage from the relentless blasting and excavation. A joint inspection report dated June 10, 2025, conducted under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bilaspur, confirmed that the tunnelling is being done in a geologically weak area with silty, sandy, and layered rocky materials.
The report also pointed out that nearly 40 meters of tunnel on either side were left unsupported at the bottom—raising fears of a collapse, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
However, an earlier report dated April 8, 2025, attributed the cracks in the houses to substandard construction rather than the tunnel work. The petitioner claims this earlier report is inconclusive and seems aimed at sidestepping responsibility.
The PIL seeks a writ of mandamus urging the authorities to immediately halt the construction, acquire the affected homes and land, and rehabilitate displaced residents, especially those from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) norms. It also demands that the companies allegedly involved in the unsafe construction practices be blacklisted.
Despite repeated representations to the Deputy Commissioner and SDM of Bilaspur, Sharma says no satisfactory action has been taken so far. Many of the impacted families, he noted, built their homes with years of savings and now live under constant fear of injury or loss.
The court has also asked the petitioner to provide translated versions of two annexures along with an application for interim relief.
Advocate Madhurika Sekhon appeared for the petitioner, while Central Government Counsel Vandana Misra and Additional Advocate General Rakesh Dhaulta represented the respondents.
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