Muck dumping in rivers during road works triggers concern in Bageshwar

Bageshwar: Allegations of negligence in govt construction projects have surfaced in Uttarakhand's remote Bageshwar district, with residents claiming that environmental norms and National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines are being ignored during road construction. They alleged that debris generated from hill cutting is being dumped indiscriminately into rivers, water sources and agricultural land, causing environmental damage in several areas.One such instance has allegedly occurred along the banks of the Gomti river, where a road project is underway. Residents claimed that muck generated from hillside cutting is being dumped directly into the river, turning the water muddy and disrupting its natural flow. Officials said "no authorised dumping zone has been designated in the area for the disposal of construction debris".Bhagwat Dasila, a resident, said that the 190-metre road being constructed from Amsarkot Motor Road to Nadigaon along the Gomti river is estimated to cost more than Rs 7.5 crore. He alleged that the road leads to the ashram of cabinet minister Satpal Maharaj and questioned the high cost for such a short stretch. Dasila further claimed that no dumping site has been created and that debris is being dumped into the river.Environmental activist Ramesh Krishak said, "Monitoring of such activities in the district appears weak. Environmental damage is happening in front of govt agencies, but no action is being taken. In the long run, people in the region will face the consequences."In another complaint from Gwar village, resident Puran Karki alleged that debris from the construction of the Jhatkwali-Gwar motor road in 2019 was dumped into the tank of the Jhatkwali Pati Dhar drinking water source, rendering it "unusable". The source earlier supplied water to three villages. Though the district administration recently assured residents that the debris would be removed within 10 days, residents said the "issue remains unresolved".Villagers in Kathani also alleged that nearly 200 nali of fertile agricultural land was covered with debris during road cutting in 2015 without the landowners' permission. They claimed the muck has not been cleared and no compensation has been provided.Govind Mehta, a resident, said, "Repeated appeals to govt departments have yielded no result. Officials have only been delaying the matter while our land remains unusable."District magistrate Akanksha Konde said, "Strict action would be taken if construction agencies were found violating environmental norms by dumping debris into rivers or other prohibited areas."