Himachal Pradesh: Continuous and uncontrolled dumping of debris into Kunah Khad, an important river of the district, has raised serious concerns among residents who depend on the water of this river. The river, which supports more than 50 water supply schemes, is reportedly getting polluted due to the construction activities of a company working on the Shimla-Matour four-lane highway. Locals fear that the continuous dumping of debris may block the flow of the khad, especially during the monsoon season, when the river is heavily flooded, often leading to disasters. Expressing disappointment, Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Nalti village, said repeated complaints to the construction company had fallen on deaf ears. He warned that blocking the flow of water would lead to severe water crisis downstream in summer and increase the risk of floods during monsoon.
The Kunah Khad originates from Awah Devi located on the border of Hamirpur and Mandi districts and joins the Beas at Naidun after traversing a distance of about 50 km. With its vast catchment area, the river is vital for drinking water and irrigation, making its conservation important. Jahangir Hassan, project in-charge of Jandu Construction Company, admitted that the company is constructing a 17-km stretch of the highway between Cheel Bahal and Kohli villages. He, however, refrained from commenting on the debris dumping issue. He said no specific dumping site has been identified and claimed that all the cutting material will be used for road construction. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Meanwhile, attempts to contact NHAI officials for comment were unsuccessful, leaving locals worried about the inaction and its potentially disastrous consequences for their water supply and the environment.
