Experts for stone crate walls to save sinking McLeodganj road

Tribune News Service

Lalit Mohan

Dharamsala, July 14

Experts from the IIT, Mumbai, and others, who were asked by the district administration of Kangra to suggest measures to protect the Dharamsala-McLeodganj road from sinking, have suggested that stone crate walls should be erected along the road instead of concrete retaining walls.

Deputy Commissioner Kangra, Nipun Jindal, while talking to The Tribune, said that the experts had suggested that stone crate walls adjust better to landslides and provide better drainage of water due to which they were better alternative to protect the sinking portions of Dharamsala-McLeodganj road. The suggestions have been forwarded to the PWD and NH departments for further action.

The technical experts have raised question against the heavy concrete retaining walls, which are being constructed by the PWD and the NH department along the hills in Dharamsala area for protection of roads.

The Dharamsala-McLeodganj road is sinking at many places. The district administration had sought advice of state geologist and other experts to stem the landslides that were threatening the road and vital infrastructure on it.

In the last monsoon, a portion of the road outside the Kotwali market caved-in. The PWD awarded contract to repair the road by constructing a retaining wall along the road. However, the retaining wall that was being constructed also caved in leading to losses to the PWD. The retaining wall has again been constructed but is yet to be metalled.

The defence authorities had also written to the district administration regarding the sinking of the road passing through Dharamsala cantonment, which is located along the Dharamsala-McLeodganj road. Portions of the road have caved-in near Forsythganj, two km from McLeodganj.

People residing in Forsythganj had also complained of cracks in their buildings due to sinking of the area.

The geologists from Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP) had blamed poor drainage and lack of sewerage system for sinking of portions of McLeodganj hill.

They have been maintaining that upper crust of the hills in McLeodganj area comprised loose soil and crushed stones. Such crusts are prone to landslides if they lack proper drainage. In case water keeps on seeping inside the upper crust of soil in these hills, it will make it heavy and prone to landslides.

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