Commissioning of Baglihar delays road construction

13 October, 2008

The commissioning of Baglihar Hydel Power Project has only resulted in the delay of construction of road project linking Doda and Kishtwar with the rest of the state, as the Pul Doda town has submerged into the watery grave of river Chenab

WITH THE commissioning of Jammu and Kashmir’s first own power project on Friday (October 10), an unnecessary delay in starting the construction of road project linking the rest of the state with two vital districts of Doda and Kishtwar, as the Pul Doda town has virtually submerged into the watery grave of river Chenab after commissioning of the Baglihar Hydel Power Project, led to affliction among the people of these two districts.

In case the water level further rises, these two districts will be cut off from the rest of the state due to no road connectivity there.

About 90 per cent of the Pul Doda town had submerged into the Chenab water after commissioning of 450 MW Baglihar Hydel Power Project. The local residents were forced to migrate and their rehabilitation packages are yet to be paid. The locals were putting up in their respective houses a month before the commissioning of the project. But in order to maintain the adequate water level for power generation, the project authorities closed all the gates of Baglihar dam, which had led to the submersion of the Pul Doda town.

Local resident Mushtaq Ahmed said that the water level, presently only two feet below the road and in case it rises, the whole road will be submerged and the people of two districts ie Kishtwar and Doda will be cut off from the rest of the state.

The delayed construction of alternate road project linking Khelani with Doda not only marred the local people of Kishtwar and Doda district but it also marooned them. Even sanctioning a part of rehabilitation package to the affected people of Pul Doda few months before commissioning of the power project have put them in quandary.

The bridge being constructed on the Chenab River near Pul Doda had many flaws. The experts believed that the pillars erected to support the bridge are not in symmetry and there is apprehension of the collapse of pillars. The construction agency on the other hand, stands firm on its construction denying of any flaws.

The road blasting on this under construction road between Khelani to Doda not only adds risk to the lives of the people but it also leads to disruption of traffic and add further woes to the sufferings of the travellers.

The locals believe that alternative road arrangements and sanctioning of the rehabilitation package to the affected people should have done well before the commissioning of the power project by the government and the power development authorities.

It is pertinent to mention here that the prestigious 450 MW Baglihar Power Project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Affected people of Pul Doda tried to meet the PM but were not allowed by the local administration.

Meanwhile, winter is knocking at the doors of poor people of Pul Doda and every body is worried about their families.