By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 14 Oct: For systematic disposal of debris generated by landslides during monsoon or in the construction of national highways, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi has given a week’s time to all the District Magistrates to identify land for dumping sites and send the proposal to the government. The Chief Secretary has instructed the District Magistrates to identify revenue land along national highways on priority basis for dumping sites, or forest land in case of non-availability of revenue land.
CS Raturi has instructed the agencies related to dumping to strictly follow the rules of disposal of debris only in the designated dumping zones. She has ordered strict action against the agencies violating the rules. The Chief Secretary wants the possibilities explored of expanding the previously identified muck dumping zones for disposal of muck generated during construction of various national highways under the Public Works Department, BRO and NHIDCL, in case they get saturated. She wants the possibilities also examined of compressing the saturated dumping zones.
Raturi has asked the District Magistrates to prepare an action plan for the use of the debris after it is deposited at the identified muck dumping sites, including developing green patches and planting of bamboo saplings there. As per the instructions of the CS, fast growing trees will be planted at such sites, which will prove useful as crash barriers in the future.
The Chief Secretary has asked the Public Works Department, BRO and NHIDCL to coordinate and conduct joint inspection with the District Magistrates regarding their need for muck dumping zones. The CS has directed the agencies to send proposals on identified land keeping in mind the requirements of the next five years. The District Magistrates are to ensure effective coordination and joint inspection in the selection of sites at the district level by the implementing agencies, Revenue Department and Forest Department.
In view of the requirements of the next five years in Uttarakhand, the above-mentioned agencies related to dumping have demanded a total of 81.99 hectares of land. This includes 55.69 hectares, at present, and 26.30 hectares in the next five years.
Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey along with officials of the Public Works Department, BRO, NHIDCL and other related departments and District Magistrates of Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Tehri were present at the meeting.
