The latest geological survey of the left side of the Ridge, which had seen massive land slides last monsoon, has revealed hope for future expansion of the area from tourism point of view and also for further strengthening.

Sinking of the area on northern side of the Ridge last year had posed a threat to it, with cracks appearing on the main ground, under which an old water tank of 46 lakh litre capacity is situated. It was not the first time that a threat was posed to the Ridge. Heavy rains in 1971 and in 1950 had also resulted in havoc on the northward side, which holds the burden of three to five-feet-deep debris dumped during the late 19th century, when the Ridge was made.

But when the havoc was repeated in 2008, with washing away of the Tibetan Market below the Ridge and appearance of wide cracks from Scandal Point towards the Gaiety Theatre, the geological wing of the state was called in by Shimla Municipal Corporation to conduct a fresh survey, which continued for five months.

Now, its experts opine that though there is a lot of debris dumped on this side which slides with heavy flow of rain water, the rock surface found under the hill is strong enough to hold the weight of strong structures that can be built on this side for protecting of the Ridge. There is also vast scope for expansion on this side of the hill, including parks and plantations for recreational activities for tourists as well as making strong retaining walls that should be entrenched deep into the rock bed to provide strength to the Ridge.

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