Dumping of muck led to Rs 2.22 cr damage to water infra: NGT report

Reckless dumping of muck for widening the Paonta Sahib-Shillai-Gumma National Highway 707 in Sirmaur district has caused colossal damage to the water supply infrastructure.

Villagers fear that they would have to face scarcity of water in the near future if the schemes are not restored permanently.

According to the findings of a joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which is hearing a petition on environmental damage caused due to reckless dumping of muck, damage of Rs 2.22 crore has been caused to the water infrastructure even since the road-widening work began.

“Water distribution lines and associated infrastructure have been damaged at 58 sites like Kamrau, Shilla, Sataun, Kafota, Shirgaon, Hevna, Pav, Chalani, etc. Apart from the hand pumps, distribution lines etc. have been damaged on which an expenditure of Rs 2.22 crore is supposed have been incurred,” states the report accessed by The Tribune.

Several gravity water and lift water supply schemes at places like Dugana, Shimble Dhar, Rithog Shirog, Ishari, Charew, Bhangi, Gangtoli, Kandi Sundrari, etc. faced colossal damage, thus hitting the smooth supply of water to the villagers.

These utilities are supposed to be relocated under the supervision of the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) after completion of road construction. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is supposed to bear the cost as per the NGT directions. Though a sum of Rs 40 lakh was paid for package I, restoration work is yet to be completed in other packages.

The 100-km highway is being widened in five packages with work on I, IV and Vth package having been completed and the remaining was slated to be completed by June-end, informed an official of MoRTH.

He added that water restoration work was underway as per the directions of the district administration with some work having been completed.

Damage to natural water ‘kuhals’ has also occurred at 30 locations due to reckless dumping of muck.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, LR Verma, who is part of the committee, informed that as per the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the staff of MoRTH has been directed to rectify the damages incurred to the water supply schemes.

“MoRTH officials have been directed to furnish completion certificates from the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) to ensure that work had been executed satisfactorily,” added Verma.

Expressing concern at the situation, Rajiv Mahajan, Superintending Engineer, JSD, Nahan, said, “It is a serious issue as non-rectification of the infrastructure damaged during widening of the highway can aggravate the water woes in the days ahead.” He added that though temporary repair was undertaken to rectify the infrastructure, permanent restoration is urgently required given the damage caused to the key structures like rising main, distribution lines, etc.