Nainital, September 12, 2025 | Navin Samachar | (Lower Mall Road Suffer Another Major Collapse) The historic Lower Mall Road in Nainital, built in 1846 during the British era, has once again suffered a major land subsidence, reviving fears of a large portion of the road eventually sinking into the iconic Naini Lake. The road, regarded as the lifeline of the Lake City, developed cracks and collapsed significantly after recent heavy rainfall.
According to officials, near the District Tourism Office, nearly 15 meters in length and 2–2.5 meters in width of the road has sunk by around 9 inches towards the lake. Cracks, 1–2 inches wide, have also appeared on the surface, forcing authorities to immediately barricade the area near India Hotel and restrict vehicular movement.
History Repeats: Earlier Collapse in 2018
This is not the first time the Lower Mall Road has been compromised. On 18 August 2018, almost 25 meters of the road had collapsed into Naini Lake, leaving a 170-meter stretch vulnerable to subsidence. At that time, a temporary solution was carried out using geo-bags and nailing techniques.
Recently, the Public Works Department (PWD) had proposed a permanent stabilization plan for 40 meters of the road, scheduled to begin on 22 September 2025. However, the new 15-meter collapse occurred just adjacent to the proposed section, increasing the affected stretch to nearly 190 meters.
Road Closure Until January 2026 Likely
PWD Assistant Engineer Tula Ram informed that a ₹3.48 crore project for permanent treatment using drilling-anchor RCC road and bridge-like structure was sanctioned in 2022. However, despite eight tender processes, no specialized contractor had shown interest. Finally, in the ninth attempt, a contractor was selected, with work scheduled from 22 September 2025 to 25 January 2026.
The road was already supposed to remain closed during this period, but the unexpected fresh collapse has created uncertainty. Officials fear the entire Lower Mall stretch may remain closed for months, severely affecting local businesses, traffic, and tourism.
THDC Team to Assess Damage
Authorities have deployed tarpaulins over the collapsed portion to prevent rainwater from further aggravating the damage. Meanwhile, a team from THDC (Tehri Hydro Development Corporation) is expected to arrive within three days to conduct a detailed survey and recommend solutions.
Questions are being raised about why a sanctioned project worth less than ₹3.5 crore took nearly seven years to begin. Locals are also concerned about delays in budget approvals and fear that the prolonged inaction may permanently damage the historical road.
Heavy Rainfall Adds to the Threat
The fresh collapse occurred amid heavy rainfall in Nainital. Though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already announced the retreat of the monsoon from North India by 15 September 2025, localized showers continue to affect the hill town.
The sudden afternoon downpour on Monday further raised the threat level. PWD officials admitted that despite tarpaulin covers, continued rain could accelerate subsidence in the Lower Mall area.
Boulder Fall Near Government Polytechnic
Adding to the woes, another incident occurred on the Nainital–Gairikhet road, about half a kilometer from the main town. Large boulders fell from a cliff near the Government Polytechnic, blocking access to Gairikhet village. Locals managed to partially clear the route with community effort, but movement remains risky.
The PWD team inspected the site following a complaint from local ward member Bhagwat Rawat. Officials warned that rolling boulders could also affect the Nainital–Kaladhungi road, disrupting connectivity to the plains.
Symbol of Nainital Under Threat (Lower Mall Road Suffer Another Major Collapse)
The Lower Mall Road is not just a transportation link but a symbol of Nainital’s colonial-era heritage. The road runs parallel to Naini Lake and remains one of the most photographed tourist attractions. Its repeated collapse highlights the fragile geology of the Himalayan town and the urgent need for long-term engineering solutions.
The road’s closure will also directly impact tourism, as it connects major hotels, shopping areas, and scenic viewpoints. Hoteliers and shopkeepers fear heavy economic losses if restoration is delayed.
Thus, the Lower Mall Road subsidence has once again brought to light the environmental vulnerability of Nainital, a city already battling the challenges of overcrowding, heavy rainfall, and fragile hill slopes. Unless immediate and permanent stabilization measures are implemented, experts warn that larger parts of the road—and perhaps even sections of the town—may be at risk.
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