Oldest water channel of Palampur cries for attention

Our Correspondent

Palampur, January 16

The three-hundred-year-old Kirpal Chand Kuhal, one of the oldest water channels of Palampur region, is crying for the attention of authorities. The 29-km-long water channel which originates from snow water of Dhauladhar hills between Bundla and Garh Jamula is considered the lifeline of over one lakh residents from 100 villages.

The Irrigation and Public Health Department had to tap on its own water sources to cater to various water supply schemes in the lower areas of Palampur.

Few years ago, the water of the kuhl was crystal clear and used for drinking purpose. However, today it is highly contaminated and ill-suited even for washing clothes and feeding animals.

In the absence of garbage disposal facility in over 12 panchayats of Palampur, people residing along the banks between Bundla and Bhawarna have been dumping waste in kuhal. Besides two panchayats Aima and Khalet, there is no garbage treatment facility in the other 12 panchayats of Palampur.

Situation is even worse between Aima and Maranda, as one can see tonnes of garbage, including polythene, animal carcass, empty gunny bags and other waste material, in the kuhal daily.

Environmentalist Poonam Ghalot had filed a PIL in the state High Court highlighting the problems of dumping waste in the kuhal and contamination of its water. Subsequently, the High Court sought a status report from the district authorities.

Earlier, it was expected that things will improve with the formation of municipal corporation (MC) in Palampur but due to opposition by local leaders, the government has kept the formation of the MC on hold.

“The heritage asset of the public has turned into a dumping site, but the PCB and the IPH Departments have failed to serve even a single notice to the defaulters,” said Subhash Sharma, a member of NGO People’s Voice.

Executive Engineer, IPH, Sanjay Thakur said the government should first create a facility for disposing garbage in the 12 panchayats of Palampur.

Health Minister Vipan Singh Parmar while talking to The Tribune said he was well versed with the situation. During the BJP regime, between 2007 and 2012, he had sanctioned Rs6 crore to cover the water channel between Palampur and Garh. Later, Chief Minister PK Dhumal had also laid a foundation stone for the execution of the project but the Congress government diverted the funds to some other project.