NHAI Apathy Victim Finally Gets Relief: High Court Orders Compensation After Chamyana House Collapse
SHIMLA, AUGUST 10: In a strong indictment of the prolonged delay in compensating a victim of the Shimla 4-lane highway project, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the project contractor, M/s Gawar Shimla Highway Private Limited, to pay 50 per cent each of the assessed compensation to Smt. Ranjana Devi within four weeks.
The order came in a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the collapse of Ranjana Devi’s house at Chamyana during construction of the 4-lane highway on the Shimla Bypass.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi took serious note of the fact that although the damage assessment had been completed as far back as July 2025, Ranjana Devi had not received even a single rupee from either NHAI or the contractor.
The Court recorded that the assessed value of the collapsed structure stood at ₹1,65,17,336, while the value of belongings was assessed at ₹58,38,588, taking the total compensation to ₹2,23,55,924.
The Court made it clear that NHAI could not simply wash its hands of responsibility for the highway project being executed under its agency. It questioned whether the cutting work was being carried out in the proper manner and under adequate supervision, particularly when the construction activity resulted in a four-storey building collapsing and disappearing within seconds.
The case came before the Court after a letter from Smt. Chanda Devi, who claimed ownership of a three-and-a-half-storey building adjoining Ranjana Devi's house. Her building was also badly affected by the collapse and has subsequently been rendered unsafe.
The Court has directed the State authorities to assess the value of Chanda Devi's unsafe house in accordance with the established procedure.
The assessment is to be carried out by the committee notified by the State Government on June 8, 2022, for assessing damage to private land and buildings located beyond the Right of Way.
The High Court's intervention has brought much-needed relief to Ranjana Devi, who had been waiting for compensation despite the assessment having been completed more than a year ago.
The Court has ordered NHAI and M/s Gawar Shimla Highway Private Limited to deposit/pay 50 per cent each of the total assessed amount within four weeks.
The matter has been fixed for further hearing on September 23, 2026.
The order underscores the Court's concern that large infrastructure projects cannot be allowed to proceed at the cost of the safety and property rights of residents and agencies responsible for execution evade accountability or delay compensation to affected families.
