Three crucial roads in Nainital district have been identified as chronic landslide and subsidence zones, with the government planning long-term treatment works estimated at around Rs 100 crore. The roads include the Kathgodam–Haidakhan–Simliya Bend state highway, the Ramnagar–Betalghat–Ratoda–Binlekh route, and the Shaheed Balwant Singh Marg in Betalghat.
The most affected stretch is a 280-metre portion near kilometre three on the Kathgodam–Haidakhan road, which has turned into a high-risk zone due to continuous landslides and ground subsidence. This route connects Bhimtal, Okhalkanda and Champawat areas, directly impacting nearly 200 villages. During the monsoon, frequent closures disrupt traffic and essential services such as medical access, while travellers face serious safety risks.
Despite temporary arrangements to keep traffic moving, the absence of a permanent solution continues to damage nearby forest land. A proposal for an alternative road alignment received financial and administrative approval in 2023–24. However, the plan was rejected on January 18, 2024, by the regional office of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in Dehradun due to forest land involvement. Subsequently, the Public Works Department (PWD) prepared a revised DPR worth Rs 36.01 crore and forwarded it on January 27, 2025, under the ADB disaster management framework.
On the Ramnagar–Betalghat–Ratoda–Binlekh road, a 358-metre-long chronic slip zone at Bawas has been causing repeated erosion and traffic disruptions. The PWD has entered into a technical agreement with THDC to support the treatment work on this stretch. Meanwhile, the Shaheed Balwant Singh Marg in Betalghat regularly remains blocked during the monsoon due to debris flow and landslides, making treatment of the slide zone essential.
PWD Executive Engineer Ratnesh Kumar Saxena stated that proposals for all three roads have been sent for approval under the Disaster Management Act, with detailed cost estimates nearing Rs 100 crore. “Permanent treatment of these slide zones is necessary to ensure road safety and uninterrupted connectivity,” he said.
Nainital District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Ryal confirmed that a committee has been formed to expedite the process. “Under the Disaster Management Act, a committee comprising the SDM, district mining officer, regional pollution control officer and sub-divisional forest officer has been constituted. The committee has been asked to conduct a site inspection and submit its report,” he said, adding that the treatment work will move forward after the report is received.
