Shimla, Sept. 23 -- The Himachal Pradesh unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expressed serious concern over cracks appearing in buildings in Shanti Vihar ward, Bhattakufar and adjoining areas of Shimla, allegedly due to the ongoing construction of twin tunnels by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as part of the four-laning project.

CPI(M) state secretary Sanjay Chauhan has demanded that the tunnel construction work be stopped immediately and a comprehensive "Vulnerability Assessment" of the entire affected area be conducted before taking any further decision on the four-laning project.

The party has also sought adequate relief and compensation for people whose houses and other properties have suffered damage...