Environmental impact of NH 707 widening project reviewed
Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta chaired a crucial meeting yesterday at the district headquarter to assess the environmental and infrastructural challenges arising from the widening of NH-707, which runs from Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district to Gumma-Fedizpul in Shimla district. The meeting was attended by officials from various departments, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Jal Shakti Department and local administration, as well as social activist Nathu Ram Chauhan, who has been raising concerns over the impact of the project.
At the meeting, Khimta said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed MoRTH to take immediate corrective measures to address damage caused to natural water sources, irrigation systems and drinking water schemes due to road expansion activities. The NGT’s intervention comes in response to complaints made by Nathu Ram Chauhan about depletion of natural springs and disruption of water supply schemes in villages along the NH-707 route. Officials assured that restoration efforts would be undertaken promptly to mitigate the impact on local communities. The administration emphasised that water sources affected by blasting and excavation would be revived at the earliest.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that 80 per cent of the NH-707 widening work has been completed, with the remaining 20 per cent expected to be finished soon. He directed MoRTH officials to expedite the pending construction while ensuring minimal disruption to local infrastructure. To prevent further inconvenience to the public, the Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to ensure smooth traffic flow on the highway during construction. The administration also urged concerned departments to repair damages to local roads, irrigation channels and drinking water pipelines as soon as possible.
The review meeting was attended by several key officials, including Abhishek Mittal, Project Officer of the District Rural Development Agency; Kulbhushan Sharma, Mining Officer of Sirmaur; and Jagbir Verma, Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department. MoRTH officials Sashwat Mahapatra, Harjeet Singh, GC Satya, and V Srinivas Rao were also present, along with social activist and complainant Nathu Ram.
With rapid infrastructure development in the region, concerns over environmental degradation have intensified. The widening of NH-707 has led to deforestation, soil erosion and disruption of water sources, prompting interventions from environmentalists and local communities. The government’s assurance to address these issues is a step toward balancing development with ecological preservation. As the administration works toward completing the remaining 20 per cent of the project, it remains to be seen whether corrective measures will be effectively implemented to restore lost water sources and protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The role of regulatory bodies like NGT in ensuring compliance with environmental norms will be crucial in determining the long-term sustainability of this infrastructure
project.
