UKD will oppose Pancheshwar dam project, says Airy

Our Correspondent

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Pithoragarh, February 23

Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) leader Kashi Singh Airy today said his party would oppose the construction of the Pancheswar dam, proposed to be built jointly by India and Nepal on the Kali river along the border. He said the dam’s construction would trigger migration.

“The Pancheswar project will prove to be another Tehri dam from the rehabilitation point of view. We will not sit idle as governments are preparing to sink the town of Jhoolaghat, besides thousands of villages across the Nepal border,” said Airy at Jhoolaghat.

Airy, who was on a visit to villages at the Nepal border in the district, said the UKD would pressure the Central as well as state governments to construct the proposed railway line along the border. “Whenever people demand the construction of a railway line along the border, the governments whether led by Congress or the BJP show reluctance. But when it comes to construction of dams on the border, the authorities concerned show much enthusiasm,” said the UKD leader.

Along with the Tanakpur-Jauljibi railway line, the proposed Tanakpur-Bageswar line should also be constructed, he said. “The construction of railway lines and roads along the border will not only benefit the people but also check migration from the border areas. The construction of the Pancheshwar dam will only increase migration and create problem in rehabilitation,” said Airy.