Joshimath redux: Alarm bells in HP villages positioned close to infra initiatives

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH:  A redux of Joshimath, being blamed for bold infrastructure initiatives, is unfolding in components of Himachal Pradesh. Take a glance: cracks have appeared in Meeru village in Kinnaur district. Several villages alongside the Kiratpur-Manali freeway complain of the sudden look of cracks of their properties. 

The primary highway resulting in McLeodganj (the capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile) from Dharamsala is sinking in lots of locations, and the long-lasting Ridge in Shimla might flip unsafe quickly, threatening the British-era landmarks that adorn the place. The frequent thread operating by way of the tragedy-in-the-making is very large building work — tunnelling work for a hydel undertaking in some distant village or highway widening works in locations the place the power of the soil is now being questioned.

Geologists have set alarm bells ringing for McLeodganj in Dharamsala. Geologist AK Mahajan says one must determine and do small-scale landslide mapping to avert disasters. “We must also study the drainage system in the hill towns. Road-cutting and tunnel boring need to be done with scientific methods and not haphazardly as it is the main cause of destruction,” he mentioned, warning that the state authorities ought to take quick steps to forestall a Joshimath-like scenario in McLeodganj as landslides have turn out to be frequent.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Nipun Jindal says although discussions have taken place in regards to the risk to McLeodganj, no scientific report has ever been submitted. “We have sought an in depth report from the Municipal Commissioner and Town and Country Planner concerning the veracity of such reviews. If the scenario so warrants, we might certainly work with consultants and stakeholders.’’

Tikenber Singh Panwar, former deputy mayor of Shimla and a number one environmentalist, instructed this paper that folks have been informing the authorities about cracks in homes in Meeru village of Kinnaur district. “The perception is that the 1,100MW Karcham-Wangtoo project and construction of highways have brought the situation to this pass,” he says.

“Due to this undertaking, the socio-ecological views of the atmosphere of the encircling area have been instantly and not directly affected. The outcomes are cracks in homes, landslides and diminished crop output, says Pawar.

Tragedy-in-the-making in hill state

Haphazard constructions, massive infrastructure initiatives resembling hydel energy stations and insensitive reducing of hills have precipitated softening of the soil round and subsequent cracks within the homes. Some of the cases are:

The primary highway resulting in McLeodganj (capital of the Tibetan govt-in-exile) from Dharamsala is sinking in lots of locations

The iconic Ridge in Shimla might flip unsafe quickly. Substantial harm to Ridge might increase security issues about many Raj-era buildings

Cracks have appeared in Meeru village in Kinnaur district, which has a hydel energy unit close by

Several villages alongside the Kiratpur-Manali freeway too have cracks of their properties.

We should determine and do small-scale landslide mapping to avert disasters. We should additionally examine the drainage system within the hill cities.

AK Mahajan, Geologist

CHANDIGARH:  A redux of Joshimath, being blamed for bold infrastructure initiatives, is unfolding in components of Himachal Pradesh. Take a glance: cracks have appeared in Meeru village in Kinnaur district. Several villages alongside the Kiratpur-Manali freeway complain of the sudden look of cracks of their properties. 

The primary highway resulting in McLeodganj (the capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile) from Dharamsala is sinking in lots of locations, and the long-lasting Ridge in Shimla might flip unsafe quickly, threatening the British-era landmarks that adorn the place. The frequent thread operating by way of the tragedy-in-the-making is very large building work — tunnelling work for a hydel undertaking in some distant village or highway widening works in locations the place the power of the soil is now being questioned.

Geologists have set alarm bells ringing for McLeodganj in Dharamsala. Geologist AK Mahajan says one must determine and do small-scale landslide mapping to avert disasters. “We must also study the drainage system in the hill towns. Road-cutting and tunnel boring need to be done with scientific methods and not haphazardly as it is the main cause of destruction,” he mentioned, warning that the state authorities ought to take quick steps to forestall a Joshimath-like scenario in McLeodganj as landslides have turn out to be frequent.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Nipun Jindal says although discussions have taken place in regards to the risk to McLeodganj, no scientific report has ever been submitted. “We have sought an in depth report from the Municipal Commissioner and Town and Country Planner concerning the veracity of such reviews. If the scenario so warrants, we might certainly work with consultants and stakeholders.’’

Tikenber Singh Panwar, former deputy mayor of Shimla and a number one environmentalist, instructed this paper that folks have been informing the authorities about cracks in homes in Meeru village of Kinnaur district. “The perception is that the 1,100MW Karcham-Wangtoo project and construction of highways have brought the situation to this pass,” he says.

“Due to this undertaking, the socio-ecological views of the atmosphere of the encircling area have been instantly and not directly affected. The outcomes are cracks in homes, landslides and diminished crop output, says Pawar.

Tragedy-in-the-making in hill state

Haphazard constructions, massive infrastructure initiatives resembling hydel energy stations and insensitive reducing of hills have precipitated softening of the soil round and subsequent cracks within the homes. Some of the cases are:

The primary highway resulting in McLeodganj (capital of the Tibetan govt-in-exile) from Dharamsala is sinking in lots of locations

The iconic Ridge in Shimla might flip unsafe quickly. Substantial harm to Ridge might increase security issues about many Raj-era buildings

Cracks have appeared in Meeru village in Kinnaur district, which has a hydel energy unit close by

Several villages alongside the Kiratpur-Manali freeway too have cracks of their properties.

We should determine and do small-scale landslide mapping to avert disasters. We should additionally examine the drainage system within the hill cities.

AK Mahajan, Geologist