The blast site near Powari on Tuesday. Tribune photo.
ldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, July 23
The Kinnaur administration has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to stop the use of explosives for blasting operations to widen the Powari-Pooh section of National Highway-05.
Officials said in view of the ongoing crop season of peas and off-season vegetables in the tribal belt, smooth transportation was a must. This would also minimise damage to the fragile hills.
Following a massive landslide on Sunday evening, the highway was blocked at Bhawanagar for 30 hours. It was restored to vehicular movement at 11.30 pm last night.
The BRO has been widening the stretches between Powari and Pooh and between Kaurik and Pooh to fast-track the movement of Army men and locals on the highway leading to the strategic Indo-China border in Kinnaur and Spiti subdivision. According to GREF personnel, more than 30 per cent of the highway was yet to be widened.
However, following protests by tribals from Kinnaur, the administration has directed the BRO not to use heavy explosives from today. “The use of heavy explosives has wreaked havoc in the fragile mountains, leading to frequents road blockades due to falling boulders,” said Chandergopal Negi of Ribba village.
Local residents said unscientific blasting of hills was the main cause of frequent landslides. “This is not only causing jams for hours everyday, but we also face threat to our lives from falling boulders,” they said.
The blasting operations are causing road blockades mainly between Powari and Pooh, where the BRO is undertaking the widening work.
SP, Kinnaur, SR Rana said: “We had a meeting with the BRO (GREF), Powari, and contractors. It has been decided to stop the use of explosives and come out with an alternative to this in 10 days.”
DK Raghav, GREF in-charge at the Powari section of the BRO, said they had directed the contractors not to use explosives for the widening work. “We will find an alternate way so that the damage could be minimised. The contractor will work during the fixed hours so that the locals do not face any inconvenience”, he said.