Bhatwadi residents urge PWD to halt blasting at tehsil site

Uttarkashi: Local building owners in Bhatwadi have urged the Public Works Department (PWD) to halt blasting being carried out during the construction of the tehsil building, citing risks to nearby houses.Affected residents — Abhishek Ramola, Jagannath Prasad Nautiyal, Sunil Nautiyal, Ankit Semwal and Suraj Nautiyal — said leveling work is currently underway at the site and blasting poses a serious threat to surrounding structures. They said many families were allotted the land after displacement and warned that any damage would lead to major problems.The residents demanded that safer alternatives to blasting be adopted and said the department would be held responsible for any damage caused.PWD executive engineer Naveen Lal Verma said a complaint had been received and a notice issued to the contractor directing them to stop blasting. He added that strict action would be taken if the practice continues.