SRINAGAR: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has supported concerns raised by residents of Watlab in Sopore over a proposed road upgradation project and urged the Public Works (R&B) Department to keep hill-cutting, major excavation and blasting activities in abeyance until detailed geological, geotechnical and environmental assessments are carried out.
The development comes days after Kashmir Images reported residents’ objections to the proposed Watlab–Baba Shakoor-ud-Din Road project, with locals warning that extensive excavation and blasting on steep slopes could threaten residential properties, destabilise the terrain and increase the risk of landslides.
In a communication addressed to the Commissioner-Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, the EPG said it had received a representation from residents regarding the project titled “Upgradation of Road Watlab–Baba Shakoor-Ud-Din by way of Construction of R/B Wall and Crate Protection Works at Different Spots.”
Backing the residents’ concerns, the group said the project involves substantial excavation, including blasting in hard rock areas. It cautioned that such activities on steep and forested slopes, where houses are located close to the road alignment, could remove natural support structures and alter slope stability, potentially increasing the risk of erosion, slope failure and landslides, particularly during heavy rainfall.
The EPG also expressed concern over the impact of vibrations from blasting and heavy machinery on nearby residential structures, agricultural land and local inhabitants.
The organisation further sought verification of whether the required forest and environmental clearances had been obtained for activities involving tree removal, excavation, non-forest use and blasting, citing the dense forest cover in the area.
While clarifying that it does not oppose road development or improved connectivity, the group said irreversible hill-cutting and blasting in an ecologically sensitive area should not proceed without proper assessment of environmental and safety implications.
The EPG has requested that hill-cutting, major excavation, blasting and road-widening activities be suspended until a detailed geological and geotechnical slope-stability study is completed by a competent authority. It has also sought a joint site inspection involving officials from the R&B, Forest, Geology and Mining, Revenue and Disaster Management departments, along with representatives of local residents.
The group further recommended revisiting the project’s design and construction methodology, if necessary, to prioritise slope-protection measures over deep cutting and blasting.
It has asked authorities to communicate the findings of inspections and assessments to the organisation and affected residents within 15 days and has offered to provide technical inputs during the proposed site assessment.
