CAG foretold tragedy in hills; Himachal Pradesh’s unchecked construction threatens tourists’ safety
In its report (Report No. 2 of the year 2021), Apex Audit body CAG flagged: “….in case of a natural calamity, such unplanned development have a potential of becoming a source of major disaster”
By Kumar Vikram
New Delhi, August 17: In the picturesque landscapes of Himachal Pradesh where the serene beauty of the hills once attracted countless tourists, a shadow of fear now looms. The once tranquil region has become a hotbed of disasters, with frequent landslides wreaking havoc on lives and infrastructure. The latest Monsoon season has turned into a nightmare, revealing a dire state of affairs exacerbated by government negligence and faulty policies.
This year’s Monsoon rains hit Himachal Pradesh with unprecedented fury, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation. Over 150 people have lost their lives, while thousands of homes were either destroyed or partially damaged, and the landscape was scarred by a staggering 113 landslides. The aftermath is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure to the forces of nature.
A CAG audit report (Social, General and Economic Sectors, Non-Public Sector Undertakings, Report No. 2 of the year 2021) lays bare the extent of the authorities’ neglect. The very planning and regulatory frameworks meant to safeguard against such disasters were only applied to a limited area of the state. The objectives of planned development were rendered meaningless, as development plans remained either unprepared or unimplemented. Regulatory authorities failed to enforce rules and regulations, allowing unauthorized constructions to flourish. The mechanisms to detect such constructions were woefully deficient.
“The department was ineffective in monitoring unsafe buildings, granting planning permissions, detecting unauthorised construction etc. Consequently, unsustainable constructions have mushroomed throughout the State, posing a challenge to the fragile ecosystem in the State, which lies in a sensitive seismic zone, and in case of a natural calamity, such unplanned development have a potential of becoming a source of major disaster,” said the CAG report.
The audit also highlighted the questionable decisions of the concerned authorities in excluding certain areas from planning zones, without proper accountability for potential hazards. The lack of adherence to norms in planning permissions was alarming, with a staggering 78 per cent of cases reviewed being granted in contravention of regulations. This included aspects like hill-cutting, excessive plinth height, and the number of storeys, all of which posed grave risks in a region prone to seismic activity.
Furthermore, the report exposed the inadequacy of internal control mechanisms and regulatory oversight, particularly in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The department’s failure to monitor unsafe buildings and unauthorized constructions has allowed unsustainable development to spread like wildfire across the state. This unchecked growth poses an imminent threat to the fragile ecosystem, especially considering the state’s sensitive seismic zones. In the event of a natural disaster, these poorly planned structures could easily transform into catalysts for catastrophe.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been quick to lay blame on external architects for the structural failures that contributed to the landslides. However, his focus on this aspect conveniently omits a crucial truth – the role of the authorities’ own laxity in overseeing construction activities in the hilly terrain.
Unless immediate and effective measures are taken to rectify these issues, the fear instilled in the hearts of tourists and locals alike will continue to grow, casting a dark shadow over the region’s future. It is high time that accountability is demanded, and that the hills are allowed to regain their beauty and tranquility through responsible and sustainable development.
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