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Planning needed to avoid such calamities: Pachuri
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Uttarakhand the challenge ahead
Patrolling on elephants in Rajaji National Park
Cabinet approves two panels under SDMA for rehab work
3-day power shutdown begins
PRD jawans stage protest
Maharaj flayed for ‘under-utilising’ MP funds for development
Adopt scientific methods to check natural disasters, says Dobhal
Collectorate staff boycott work, public inconvenienced
Project to give rest houses on PPP mode hangs fire
Women, elders in affected areas suffer from sleep disorder
Bahuguna gives Rs 5 lakh aid to martyr’s family
Kandari made PCC member
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Planning needed to avoid such calamities: Pachuri
Dehradun, August 5 “Two years back a report was prepared by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC) and had warned that frequency of heat wave and increase in external precipitation was affecting the climate of the Arctic Council of which the Himalayas were also a part. While it cannot be said with certainty that the recent flooding in Uttarakhand could be due to climate change, it should act as a warning for us to take decisions to prevent losses,'' he said while speaking with reporters after the GEP meeting attending by environmentalists and ministers . Pachuri, who is also Director General of The Energy and Resource Institute ( TERI- New Delhi), was in Dehradun to participate in the committee meeting called to formulate gross environment product for the state. He said that the incident should act as a wake-up call for the state to plan, keeping in view the fragile eco system of the state. On the other hand patron of Himalayan Environment Studies Conservation Organisation (HESCO) Anil Prakash Joshi, on whose suggestion the government decided to adopt GEP, said that the collective indicator would help in striking a balance between environment and ecology. ''Within a month the different institutions working in the state would come up with a empirical formula for establishing parametres for GEP,'' said Joshi. On the other hand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, while chairing the meeting on GEP, said that the committee's advice would also be sought on developing alternative for Char Dham Yatra and road construction. ''We will also hold a conference in New Delhi in which along with the Himalayan states, the participants from the Himalayan countries, including Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan would also participate for deliberating on the issue of striking a balance between development and environment,'' said Bahuguna. The committee members include Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment (Uttarakhand) S Ramaswamy, Director General of TERI RK Pachuri, Director, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee RD Singh, Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Anil Kumar Gupta, Anil Joshi of HESCO and others. |
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Uttarakhand the challenge ahead
Dehradun, August 5 “A quick stopgap approach in rebuilding the infrastructure cannot be a solution. Rather reengineering and building the road infrastructure in a step-by-step method using non-destructive and least invasive techniques is the need of the hour. We have to sieve out the best of our past experiences and adopt the state-of-the-art non-conventional techniques for sustainability and propose the appropriate solutions,” he said. Kapila added as a first step a detailed subsurface investigation of the affected areas should be carried out. “Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) is an integral and important aspect of subsurface investigations. Although there is a significant school of thought that does not believe in the efficacy of such investigations in the Indian conditions. This is a myth. The NDT actually reduces the cost and time of subsurface characterisation through proper combination of validation with invasive techniques. The best tools in the NDT category for hill roads will be seismic, Electrical Resistivity (ER) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). The GPR is very useful in subsoil investigations and offers concrete characterisation of different layers, besides pavement structure integrity,” he opined. Kapila said it was imperative that the road agencies do not undermine the efficacy of good, extensive and thorough geotechnical investigations in the hill terrain before hitting the design board on any new alignment or widening of existing roads through newer techniques. He added while planning and designing the rehabilitation of the affected roads, it needs to be remembered that the outer and lesser Himalayas comprised of unstable strata owing to the young folded mountains and these sections of the Himalayas comprised of very weak to weakly cemented sedimentary rocks that lacked inherent strength. “Consequently, cutting of slopes in such ranges and strata, regardless of extreme precautions and environment-friendly techniques that are least invasive, does not guarantee adequate protection to the road foundation or the slopes,” he added. Kapial said blasting, which is used as the fastest and an economical method of road construction, should be avoided. “In the recent projects for four-laning and six-laning of roads undertaken by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), the hill cutting and widening works had been done using a combination of excavators, road headers and breakers. These minimise the extent of damage to the hill slopes and strata and in combination with remedial measures such as shotcreting with wire mesh and rock bolting, use of rock fall nets, concrete cladding, and most important proper diversion of surface runoff through catch drains, chutes and toe drains on berms have provided stability to the slopes,” he said. He said tunnelling in hill terrain with geologically very weak strata had been successfully tackled through the use of rock cutters, road headers and a combination of drilling and mucking. “The cutting profile is near perfect. The strata are not significantly disturbed and the installation of tunnel support systems have been near perfect. Despite being a slow process and capital intensive, it brings in significant savings on the subsequent operation and maintenance costs once the roads are functional,” he said. Kapila said ideally the best way to develop roads in hills was through the use of tunnels and connecting viaducts. This minimised disturbance to the existing hill slopes. The construction of linear structure foundations along hill slopes, especially alongside river valleys with perennial streams that become hyperactive during cloudbursts and very heavy precipitation in the catchment areas, which cause heavy damage to the toes of the breast walls and retaining walls of existing roads running along the slopes. “One of the best examples is the Kalka-Shimla Heritage Rail the alignment of which comprises 103 tunnels crossing such geologically weak strata. Despite being over 100 years’ old, this rail line had been closed on rare occasions indicating the robustness of the alignment in penetrating slopes in geologically competent formations and tunneling when such formations are unavailable. However, the economics somehow hinders the development of such costly but far more permanent solutions. Thus, it is time that we adopt alternative technologies for our structures,” he added. Kapila said another area for adopting alternative technology was the use of emergency bridges like bailey bridges as were immediately required in Uttarakhand. He added modern emergency bridges were costlier but gave the advantage of two-lane traffic and allowing heavier loads that match permanent bridges for national highway requirements. “At about Rs 6 to Rs 7 lakh per metre, including transportation from overseas and construction, these bridges can carry heavier and wider single loads to allow for large construction machinery or equipment and take less space. It is a four-fold advantage at less than twice the cost of a bailey bridge and compares more favourably with a permanent bridge with the huge advantage of a quick launch. This cost will come down further with appropriate excise concessions considering its use in emergencies and lack of alternatives in the country. With local manufacturing in the long run, it will be even more cost effective. A farsighted policy in introducing such bridges is required. The time to take corrective measures post-Uttarakhand is now. It applies to most of our borders. Learning from experience and induction of new technology will pay rich dividends,” he said. Emergency Bridges are more expensive than conventional bridges. A bailey bridge (single lane, Load Cl 30) for example costs about Rs 3.7 lakh per metre for a 50 metre span bridge. It is more expensive than a normal concrete bridge, which costs about Rs 5 lakh per metre for a two-way bridge built to the National Highway load specifications. The launching speed of a bailey bridge is the advantage i.e. 1-2 days, vis-a-vis 1-2 years for a permanent bridge depending on site conditions.
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Patrolling on elephants in Rajaji National Park
Haridwar, August 5 Patrolling on elephant is quite effective at night in hills and muddy terrain. Mounted on elephants park personnel could easily see up to a good distance and spot smugglers or anti-social elements. The park authorities decided to use elephants for patrolling after all connecting roads there were damaged due to heavy rains. DP Uniyal, Ranger of Chilla Range, told The Tribune that besides patrolling, the elephants were also helping in supplying food and other essential commodities in interior areas of the park range. Rajaji National Park Director SP Subuddhi had himself carried out a patrolling routine on an elephant in the Chilla range recently. Initially, four pet elephants are being used for the purpose but the number is likely to increase in the coming months. Uniyal said, “It was difficult to reach various areas as roads had caved in due to heavy rains. But now with elephants being pressed into patrolling duty, we are having access to difficult terrain too.” Wildlife expert Dr Ritesh Joshi, who has been working on Asian elephants for the past one decade, said the step should have been taken much earlier as animal and wood smugglers had been quite active in the park. He added a similar patrolling exercise should be replicated in other zones of the park to check illegal activities and conserve its wildlife and flora and fauna. |
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Cabinet approves two panels under SDMA for rehab work
Dehradun, August 5 “The Uttarakhand Cabinet has given approval for the constitution of two committees comprising the monitoring committee headed by the Chief Secretary and a sanctioning committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma under the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) for rehabilitation and reconstruction work,” said Subash Kumar, Chief Secretary, while speaking with media persons at the end of the Cabinet meeting. He said that the sanctioning committee would have the powers to sanction projects worth Rs 5 crore, for sanctioning of projects above Rs 5 crore, permission would have to be sought from the SDMA whose chairman is the Chief Minister. Further, the Cabinet also gave approval for the constitution of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) announced earlier. ''A total of six companies of SDRF would be raised. In the first phase two companies would be raised in Garhwal and Kumaon division and would comprise 120 people,'' said Subash Kumar. An IG rank officer would be overall in charge of the SDRF while two posts would be created for DIG rank officer and in the first phase the government will spend around Rs 11.76 crore. The posts would be filled through direct recruitment and also through deputation from the police who are above 45 years of age. The Uttarakhand Cabinet also gave approval for giving 35 kg of ration per family to the BPL cardholders comprising family 5 members and above in the state under the food security scheme, which would impose an additional burden of Rs 120 crore on the Uttarakhand government annually. Other important decisions include raising of upper limit for subsidy under the Veer Chander Singh Garhwali Scheme from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh being run by the state Tourism Department; OBC status for Gujjar/Mehra/Gujjar Mehra communities residing in Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi; Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam to buy potatoes and apples from farmers who are residing in villages that have no connectivity. |
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3-day power shutdown begins
Dehradun, August 5 The drive began on Sunday with Majra where 132 KV line was repaired. However, the residents of the area along with those of Niranjanpur fumed as they had not been given any prior notice. According to Assistant Engineer, UPCL, the drive could not take place today on the second day. However, one big electrical pole which had fallen in the area near Bindalpul was straightened and repaired. The Assistant Engineer said tomorrow the drive would be taken up in Transport Nagar, Shanti Vihar, Triveni Vihar and Mohabbewala. Thereafter, scheduled power cuts would be imposed in the areas of Dalota, Mahant Indresh, Narayan Vihar, Kargi, Ajabpur, Mothorowala and Doodhadevi for three hours. According to sources, the wires, transformers and sub-stations are incurring damage due to heavy downpour in the city. If the repairs are not timely taken up, then a massive problem can arise whereby the residents will have to suffer prolonged power shutdown for the extended repair.
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PRD jawans stage protest
Dehradun, August 5 Their other demands include increasing the life insurance amount to Rs 10 lakh, offering job to family members in the wake of death of PRD jawan and proper recruitment. State president of Prantiya Raksha Dal association Promod Kumar, general secretary, Sumil Kumar along with other persons participated in the protest against the government. |
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Maharaj flayed for ‘under-utilising’ MP funds for development
Dehradun, August 5 Gusain said: “Satpal Maharaj is aptly using his position as MP to raise the serious issue of bad state of infrastructure in the state post-flash flood disaster before Parliament. The entire nation will come to know of the grim situation prevailing in the state after that massive devastation. Centre should also take swift measures to bring life and the system to normalcy by giving all sorts of assistance to the state.” Gusain was, however, miffed with Maharaj for under-utilising his MP funds for development in the state. “Satpal Maharaj has used only 36 pc of the MP fund for development in the state. He needs to act on his words. Mere tonsuring of head to express symbolic distress over the gigantic devastation in the state will do no good for people. It is a pity that among all the MPs, he spent least of his MP fund among all.” “In a state where so much is desired to be done in terms of development, he should have spent every single penny of the fund for the development works,” the UKD leader said.
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Adopt scientific methods to check natural disasters, says Dobhal
Dehradun, August 5 Inaugurating a three-day meet here in Dehradun entitled ''Eco Future Programme,'' Rajendra Dobhal said the scientific institutions had an important role towards assisting states in coming up with science backed disaster mitigation measures. He said even colleges, schools and universities and research organistions must work to sensitise society towards natural disasters and its remedial measures. Pamposh Kumar, member-secretary, National Council for Science and Technology Communication, spoke on the theme water resource management. He said managing water resources in the country was a challenging task and needed to be done intelligently. He said proper water resource management can solve both the issues of water scarcity and floods. GS Roonwal, Secretary Technical Advisory Committee Department of Science and Technology (DST), also addressed the gathering. Rajendra Dobhal, along with Pamposh Kumar, released ''Jal Sutra'' programme of Union Ministry of Science and Technology. UCOST's Dehradun district coordinator and Associate Professor at DAV (PG) College Prashant Singh referred to the importance of the meet. He spoke at length on the sessions to be conducted in the meet. Fourteen experts of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of Department of Science and Technology and 20 scientists and academicians from various states of the country are attending the meet, which is being organised by UCOST with support of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) and the DST. |
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Collectorate staff boycott work, public inconvenienced
Dehradun,August 5 Owing to the boycott, the public faced a lot of inconvenience today. Avinash Kumar, visitor, said: “My file pertaining to a property case was listed today in the revenue court, but given to boycott by employees, the case could not be heard today. Tomorrow, the other cases which are listed for hearing will be heard out. I don’t know when my turn will come.'' He complained that every year the collectorate employees went on strike for several days and urged that the district administration must bring about a solution to their problems so that the public did not suffer from that. Rajender Gupta, another visitor, complained of delay in the passport verification work. “The verification of my passport is urgent. I have been running around for it for the past many days. I fail to understand why the common man is harassed by the employees to put pressure on officials for their demands.” The public is already having tough times as Tehsildar and District Magistrate RM Sundaram are having additional responsibilies, too. Sundaram is Vice-Chairman of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority and Director, Information Directorate and Additional Secretary as well, besides being DM, Dehradun. He hardly gets enough time to attend to attend to the public in the DM office. Thereupon, the strike by collectorate employees is testing the patience of the public. The work is going to suffer for five days when collectorate employees will go on strike on August 16,17, 18 and 19. Raksha bandhan will fall on August 20. General secretary of collectorate employees' union Devender Sundriyal said: “Today was our symbolic strike to give warning to the district administration. Then we will go for three days' strike. If the administration still did not take any positive action on our demands, then we will wage an indefinite strike,” he added. The employees are demanding promotion of those who are receiving grade pay scale of Rs 2800, transfer of employees to Tyuni and Chakrata as per roster system and payment of remaining dues to the employees. |
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Project to give rest houses on PPP mode hangs fire
Dehradun, August 5 General Manager, GMVN, Hansa Dutt Pandey said, “The nigam has been suffering losses on sick tourist rest houses. We have to pay salary to the staff and other maintenance charges like electricity and water but a few tourists stay in these
rest houses.” The sick rest houses identified for the project include those at Agra Khal (31 km from Tehri), Ban, Mandoli and Deval (Chamoli district) and Gutu, Reah and Gangi (Tehri district). The area and location of these rest houses are quite odd. Some do not have approach roads while others are far from the city with no transport or civic amenities in the vicinity. According to sources, these rest houses were built on the recommendations of local politicians in their constituencies. However, the department now wants to get rid of these buildings. “We do not want to dismantle these buildings. We wish to retain them to send a message across to tourists that the state has tourist rest houses in remote areas as well,” said Pandey. “Moreover, people who come for trekking and adventure tourism can always have a comfortable stay in these tourist rest houses. However, they have been running in losses. Once they are given on the PPP mode it will be up to the private partner to seek ways to maximise revenue from these rest houses. He can rent out a portion of the building and generate income. Being a government department, we cannot experiment much in this direction,” said a senior executive at the GMVN. |
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Women, elders in affected areas suffer from sleep disorder
Pithoragarh, August 5 The team of three doctors visited the relief camps set up in the disaster-hit areas of Dharchula and Munsiyari. It examined children, women and male members of the affected families and found that addiction to drugs among the male members of the families increased after the natural disaster due to frustration in the absence of jobs. “While old people and women are suffering from an insecure future trauma, youths are hopeful that the government will provide them jobs,” said Dr Varun Mehta, leader of the team. Asked a team of doctors from the same institute had earlier found no psychological problems among the campers, Dr Mehta said the tendency of psychological trauma increased with a longer stay in disaster relief camps. The psychiatry team said at present the administration was supplying relief material to the disaster-hit people in these camps but when this dole was discontinued, the feeling of insecurity would crest stress levels in their minds, creating new psychiatric problems. “The whole administrative machinery involved in the relief work in Dharchula and Munsiyari has no awareness of psychological diseases which could follow after the relief operation is over. Those staying at the relief camps will face problems of livelihood and permanent residence. During our visit we felt there is a need for regular counselling for these campers so that they could begin a new life with freshness and enthusiasm,” said Dr Mehta.
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Bahuguna gives Rs 5 lakh aid to martyr’s family
Dehradun, August 5 The Chief Minister gave a cheque for Rs 5 lakh to Rana’s family and promised to provide a government job to his younger sister. Congress vice-president Suryakant Dashmana also accompanied the Chief Minister. |
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Kandari made PCC member
Dehradun, August 5 Kandari, a senior BJP leader, had quit the party before the Tehri Lok Sabha byelection in 2012 in protest after he was denied ticket. He later joined the Congress.
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Dehradun, August 5
Patrolling in the Rajaji National Park, which is spread over 820 sq km, is being done on elephants for the first time since it was
created in 1983.
