Traffic flow on the town's main circular road was again disrupted after a large section of the retaining wall on the road adjacent to a new multistoried parking lot under construction began to sink on Wednesday, forcing commuters to make lengthy detours. Following incessant rainfall cracks had begun to appear on the wall during the past few days.
Earlier on January 8 the road had caved in at an intersection connecting the high court building due to excavation work at the parking lot construction site, bringing traffic to a halt.
On Wednesday rush hour traffic on the circular road remained gridlocked with serpentine lines of vehicles, giving motorists a tough time. The stretch from Talland to the old bus station was eventually cleared for light vehicles in the afternoon. However, most buses plied till Talland only, inconveniencing commuters.
In the wake of the traffic chaos, deputy commissioner Dinesh Malhotra said several changes had been effected in traffic movement in the area. "Both local and long distance buses have been diverted to the bypass via Tutikandi and Khalini. Light vehicles heading for Chotta Shimla will be allowed on the sealed road linking the high court via Kamla Nehru hospital. Buses and heavy vehicles going towards Sanjauli and Chotta Shimla have also been diverted to the victory tunnel in Lakkar Bazaar and vehicles coming from Sanjauli will be routed through the bypass via Khalini."
Deputy mayor Tikender Singh Panwar, who visited the scene, said: "After the road again caved in the PWD chief engineer has been instructed to build a temporary bailey bridge at the parking lot construction site, which will remain in place till a a stronger retaining wall on the road is constructed."
Deputy mayor Tikender Singh Panwar, who visited the scene, said: "After the road again caved in the PWD chief engineer has been instructed to build a temporary bailey bridge at the parking lot construction site, which will remain in place till a a stronger retaining wall on the road is constructed."