What goes wrong with expectations of Doda, Kishtwar people?

Ajmer Alam Wani (Special Correspondent) February 20, 2009

Due to the lack of vision in doing surveys and ignoring the warnings of the Geologists, people of erstwhile Doda district are suffering today for everything, which they had not expected earlier.
Some Urdu poet has rightly said; Tareekh Ke Ankhoon Nay Who Dour Bhee Dekha Hai; Lamhoo Nay Khata Ke Thee, Sadyoun Nay Sazaa Pai.
Today, this couplet rightly suits and fits, if the situation of Doda and Kishtwar people is taken in consideration and the sincerity of the planners, engineers, surveyors and those who executed the work is taken for consideration together.
The situation would have not been arisen today, if the Geologists were taken in confidence and their studies and view were made part of the project.
As the Jammu and Kashmir State is situated in such a place where threat of earth quake looms large all the time, experts fear that the Baglihar Dam can get damaged any time, if a earthquake around 8 reactor scale shocks the state, as the dam, according to experts, has been constructed/ built on a place from where, the ‘danger line’ passes through.
It was not a problem, many projects and dams have been constructed on such locations but the methods and techniques used in construction were different.
The dam has been constructed in concrete thus when an earthquake of larger intensity came, it will be hard to adjust with the move and the result will be breakdown of dam, experts say. If this happens, human life at large will be in danger.
Another problem which was not considered by the surveyors while constructing the ‘reservoir’ is nature of soil, rock and geological factors.
If the sources are to be believed, the 1972 made maps have been used in construction of the dam. However, the paper work is entirely complete but there is a question mark on the ground surveys and consultation with the Geologists who have studies the rocks, soils in the area.
Interestingly, former Chief Minister (CM) Dr. Farooq Abdullah had announced in the year 1999 that no project was to be constructed/started, without the consultation of
Geologists, but after all political promises are just promises, projects are being started in large number but Geological studies are kept aside and no importance is being given to the Geologists of our state who have otherwise acclaimed worldwide fame due to their hard work and research work not in A/C rooms but on ground.
According experts, the soil around the Chenab has water absorbing nature thus the water level raised after the construction of dam has started taking its place in the soil due to which landslides have started taking place.
The river water is flowing and the soil leaving its actual place is being swept away by the river clearing the base for landslides which is difficulty to control. Land slides if identifies earlier can be controlled but once started can not be, Geological experts say.
Now, need of the hour is to think deeply and make changes in the traditional policy of fixing stamps on the works, research and surveys done by others, without caring about its relevance to the area and to review the upcoming projects so the expected troubles in future could be minimized.
More projects are coming up on Chenab River, local Geologists who have conducted deep studies should be consulted and made partners to study the future projects.
Why to invite the foreign researchers if we have best at the local level? Moreover, the expectations of the people of erstwhile Doda district were shattered on February when about 200 metres long stretch of Batote- Doda road sunk due to land slides and after the disaster, Doda and Kishtwar districts got cut off from rest of the state.
Earlier the people were looking forward for the new of development besides electricity supply for 24 hour even some were expecting free electricity. But the situation turned other-way after the commissioning of this project.
According to reports many people lost their lives while crossing the Chenab River at different areas in between Assar and Marso while many have already lost their livelihood after their shops and installations submerged in the river.
Take an example of Pul Doda, which was a business hub in the area due to its prime location on the Jammu-Kishtwar highway. The location was earlier a central point from other towns of the district e.g. Bhaderwah, Prem Nagar, Thathri, Gundoh and Kishtwar.
The sufferers neither have only deserted their place and business establishments but also have nor yet properly rehabilitated as were promised by the Govt. Thus these people are living a miserable life.
As usual former Chief Minister (CM) Dr. Farooq Abdullah, during the election campaign frequently used the mismanagement of Baglihar project as the tool to criticize the Congress but once the party came to power in coalition with the Congress every thing became alright, which a common man fail to understand.
After the recent troubles and sinking of road, the people of Doda and Kishtwar districts were expecting helicopter service from Kishtwar, Gundoh, Inderwal, Padder Bhaderwah and Doda to other parts of state but the people at the helm of affairs, though claim that backward areas will be developed at priority, yet are silent over the issue, which speaks volumes about the sayings and doings by the present coalition towards the areas which needs focused attention.
Moreover, the people of Doda and Kishtwar districts are also annoyed with their representatives who are busy either in Jammu or Delhi for getting a berth in the ministry forgetting those who brought them to power. As it was feared, cost of commodities has increased in the unconnected belts.
Though the work on new alignment of road has started on war footing as the District Doda administration claims that the road is likely to be ready for traffic by Monday yet one thing is certain when the weather conditions which are not good will increase the suffering of people in coming days.