NGT suggests ban on civil construction in subsidence-hit area of J&K’s Doda

NEW DELHI: A National Green Tribunal panel has recommended banning civil construction in the land subsidence-hit area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, and rehabilitating the affected families to a safer location.

In February, the authorities evacuated several families from their homes after they developed cracks and declared unsafe a mosque and a religious school for girls in the Nai Basti hamlet of Thathri town. The situation had drawn similarities with Joshimath, the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib and international skiing destination Auli, which is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence. The authorities, however, refused to compare the two.

The nine-member panel headed by the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary submitted its report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week. In the report, it suggested that people outside the affected area be immediately moved if major cracks emerge in their homes.

“No further civil construction within the affected area of Nai Basti may be allowed. In view of the coming monsoon season, the affected area needs to be under observation of the district administration. In case of any new sign of major cracks in houses outside the affected area, residents (are) to be evacuated immediately.

“As a precautionary measure, people living in houses outside the affected area and adjoining houses/ structures not yet affected may also be asked to relocate to a safer place,” the report stated. The experts in the panel recommended filling up the cracks with cement slurry well before the onset of monsoon to control the percolation of rainwater/surface water.

“The natural diversion and drainage channels within the area may be restored or renovated immediately so that the surface run-off could be diverted. Proper drainage and sewer plan for the entire area to be developed and implemented,” they said.

The committee said construction outside the affected area can be allowed only after geo-technical assessments such as soil bearing tests. “No subsurface engineering activity may be allowed within an area circumscribing 500 metres of the affected location,” it said.

The committee said construction outside the affected area can be allowed only after geo-technical assessments