Illegal Debris Dumping from Highway Construction Ravages Himachal Village: Kisan Sabha Demands Action
Under the shadow of the massive four-lane highway construction between Kaithlighat and Shimla, the quiet villages of Pujarli, Razhana, and Anandpur Panchayat are paying a heavy price. For months, unchecked dumping of construction debris has been choking their water sources, burying farmland, and threatening homes – and now, desperate farmers have taken their fight to the state pollution watchdog.
“Our Fields Are Turning into Wastelands”
“The mud and rocks keep sliding down every time it rains,” says 65-year-old Prem Singh, pointing at the debris-clogged drain behind his apple orchard in Pujarli. “Last week, it destroyed my wheat crop. If this continues, we’ll lose everything.”
Prem’s story is not unique. The Himachal Kisan Sabha’s Pujarli unit has documented how loose debris from the highway’s hill-cutting work is being recklessly dumped into local drains, which feed into the Shaimli and Ashwani streams. Instead of using designated dumping sites, contractors have allowed the waste to spill into farmlands, forests, and even residential areas.
Water Crisis Looms as Streams Choke
The worst hit are the village water sources. “The debris has already buried two natural springs we used for drinking water,” says Sarpanch Kamlesh Devi of Anandpur Panchayat. “Now, even our irrigation channels are blocked. If the Pollution Control Board doesn’t act now, we’ll face a drought-like situation by summer.”
Wildlife hasn’t been spared either. The once-clear forest drains, used by cattle and wild animals, are now clogged with rocks and mud, forcing shepherds to take longer routes for grazing.
Construction Company Ignored Rules, Say Locals
Villagers allege that the construction firm was supposed to create proper dumping sites with retaining walls to prevent landslides. “But they took the easy way out – just pushed everything downhill,” claims Kisan Sabha leader Harish Chauhan. “Now, even a small rain shower sends waves of mud into our fields.”
The worst dumping spots include:
- Bara Village (Shimla TCP Area): Debris from hill-cutting being dumped directly into Shamli Khad near a sewage plant.
- Junga Road: Trucks unloading debris into the Kyaar drain near Ashwin Bridge, risking further blockages.
Farmers to Pollution Board: “Visit Before It’s Too Late”
The Kisan Sabha’s memorandum to the HP Pollution Control Board includes photographic evidence and a plea for immediate inspection. “We’re not against development, but can’t let it destroy our livelihoods,” says Chauhan. “If the Board officials come, we’ll show them the damage firsthand.”
Will Authorities Act?
With monsoon just weeks away, villagers fear more landslides if the debris isn’t cleared. The ball is now in the court of the Pollution Control Board – will it penalize the violators and enforce stricter disposal norms, or will Pujarli’s farmers be left to fend for themselves?
