Baglihar project raises safety concerns for Doda residents

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 8

The Baglihar hydropower project continues to remain a cause for concern for the residents of Doda district with the erosion of loose soil on both sides of the reservoir and the threat of landslides looming large over the populace.

Minor landslides continue to hit the areas on both sides of the reservoir as no steps have been initiated to address the issue. From time to time, experts have warned of a possible major disaster in the region if steps are not taken to minimise the effect of water entering the loose soil.

“Mountains of the Doda district comprise hard rock, lime and gypsum stones along with loose soil. At some places such as the area from Assar to Raggi, one can only find lime stones and loose soil. The threat of reservoir water affecting these rocks is quite high in these areas,” said Mateen Hafeez, a geologist from Jammu.

He said the areas where hard rocks were present were safe but those with loose soil and lime stones were risky.

“Moreover, the threat of landslides increases during monsoon every year, affecting several villages and highway. It is a matter of concern which needs immediate attention,” the geologist added.

For the past one week, several landslides hit the area, including the Batote-Kishtwar national highway, and the road remained blocked for several hours. The administration is well aware of the landslides occurring in the area but is apathetic to the situation.

“There were some landslides in the past few days but those were not big enough to pose any threat. It is a fact that there is loose soil in the area but what kind of threat it is facing, only geologists can predict that,” said Manjeet Singh, tehsildar, Assar, Doda.