Partner- Volunteer Yatra
Unprecedented rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has exposed the grim reality of poorly planned infrastructure projects, especially roads. As rains battered the state, in the months of July and August, a domino effect of death and destruction was unleashed. Landslides triggered floods, ecological damage and loss of livelihood. Himachal Pradesh, which was once an epitome of nature’s bounty, now crumbles in the face of nature’s fury. The roads, which were meant to enhance efficiency of commute and cut travel time, now leave us questioning their effectiveness.
What were meant to be ‘all-weather’ roads seem to have been washed away with the monsoons. Some experts note that these roads have been constructed by cutting mountains, proving to be detrimental to the ecology. The newly constructed Kiratpur-Mandi-Kullu-Manali Highway, slated as one of the biggest road projects in Himachal, saw damages and losses worth crores due to the flooded Beas river.
Amid the disaster, many lives have been lost and many have gone missing, over thousands of people have been displaced. Reports also suggest that more than 1200 roads across the state have been blocked.
The calamity raises significant questions-
Are scientific techniques being applied for the construction of these ‘all-weather’ roads?
Was planning undertaken comprehensively to factor in the unique Himalayan ecosystem to undertake such construction projects?
What measures were taken to ensure the quality of materials used in the overall construction process?
The floods could be attributed to a number of factors.
This includes poorly planned and executed infrastructure projects, thereby rising the risk of erosion.
Among other factors, locals have reported the dumping of construction waste into the rivers, further adding to the problem.
Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in a report by Newslaundry, noted that the gravel and stones in the region are brittle, which end up in the river during heavy rains and could thus cause flooding.
According to several reports, the construction of 21 out of 23 dams across the state was done by violating safety regulations, which seem to have exacerbated the flood situation. Among the violators, are HP State Electricity Board-operated Larji hydropower project in Mandi and Jateon in Sirmaur. The reports further added that only two of the dams complied with the water release guidelines. Additionally, the dam authorities also failed to adhere to the relevant provisions of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) guidelines of 2015.
Many citizens in the region have come together to oppose potential hydroelectric projects in the region, citing the ecological damage they bring with them.
In the face of such rapid construction, we urge authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India to prioritize development of infrastructure, especially road construction, in a responsible and sustainable manner. Our demand is two-fold-
We call for the implementation of rigorous scientific assessments and environmental impact studies for road construction projects. This will ensure that construction methods are informed by expert insights and take into account the nuances of the Himalayan ecosystem, which is unique.
We advocate for the adoption of sustainable construction practices that strike a balance between the development needs and ecological sensitivity.
Together, we can raise our collective voices to protect the Himalayan ecosystem from damages that are irreversible and demand infrastructure that is safe and sustainable.
Sign the petition
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/hp-govt-to-take-action-against-21-dam-managements-for-violation-of-safety-norms/102885331#:~:text=The%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20government%20has,being%20blamed%20for%20the%20violations.
Partner- Volunteer Yatra
Unprecedented rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has exposed the grim reality of poorly planned infrastructure projects, especially roads. As rains battered the state, in the months of July and August, a domino effect of death and destruction was unleashed. Landslides triggered floods, ecological damage and loss of livelihood. Himachal Pradesh, which was once an epitome of nature’s bounty, now crumbles in the face of nature’s fury. The roads, which were meant to enhance efficiency of commute and cut travel time, now leave us questioning their effectiveness.
What were meant to be ‘all-weather’ roads seem to have been washed away with the monsoons. Some experts note that these roads have been constructed by cutting mountains, proving to be detrimental to the ecology. The newly constructed Kiratpur-Mandi-Kullu-Manali Highway, slated as one of the biggest road projects in Himachal, saw damages and losses worth crores due to the flooded Beas river.
Amid the disaster, many lives have been lost and many have gone missing, over thousands of people have been displaced. Reports also suggest that more than 1200 roads across the state have been blocked.
The calamity raises significant questions-
Are scientific techniques being applied for the construction of these ‘all-weather’ roads?
Was planning undertaken comprehensively to factor in the unique Himalayan ecosystem to undertake such construction projects?
What measures were taken to ensure the quality of materials used in the overall construction process?
The floods could be attributed to a number of factors.
This includes poorly planned and executed infrastructure projects, thereby rising the risk of erosion.
Among other factors, locals have reported the dumping of construction waste into the rivers, further adding to the problem.
Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in a report by Newslaundry, noted that the gravel and stones in the region are brittle, which end up in the river during heavy rains and could thus cause flooding.
According to several reports, the construction of 21 out of 23 dams across the state was done by violating safety regulations, which seem to have exacerbated the flood situation. Among the violators, are HP State Electricity Board-operated Larji hydropower project in Mandi and Jateon in Sirmaur. The reports further added that only two of the dams complied with the water release guidelines. Additionally, the dam authorities also failed to adhere to the relevant provisions of the Dam Safety Act (DSA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) guidelines of 2015.
Many citizens in the region have come together to oppose potential hydroelectric projects in the region, citing the ecological damage they bring with them.
In the face of such rapid construction, we urge authorities, including the National Highways Authority of India to prioritize development of infrastructure, especially road construction, in a responsible and sustainable manner. Our demand is two-fold-
We call for the implementation of rigorous scientific assessments and environmental impact studies for road construction projects. This will ensure that construction methods are informed by expert insights and take into account the nuances of the Himalayan ecosystem, which is unique.
We advocate for the adoption of sustainable construction practices that strike a balance between the development needs and ecological sensitivity.
Together, we can raise our collective voices to protect the Himalayan ecosystem from damages that are irreversible and demand infrastructure that is safe and sustainable.
Sign the petition
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/power/hp-govt-to-take-action-against-21-dam-managements-for-violation-of-safety-norms/102885331#:~:text=The%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20government%20has,being%20blamed%20for%20the%20violations.