Govt identifies 50 hectares in Kinnaur to relocate Army’s ammunition depot
The state government has identified 50 hectares at Mulling in the Bhaba valley of Kinnaur to relocate an ammunition depot at Powari, close to the China border in the district. This will resolve the decade-old stalemate over the issue.
The government is hopeful that the new site at Mulling, falling in five panchayats, will be suitable for relocating the ammunition depot. Moreover, the five panchayats where 50 hectares fall have agreed to give the mandatory no-objection certificate (NOC) for the purpose. Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena will soon be chairing a meeting to expedite the matter, which was discussed during the conference of Deputy Commissioners and SPs here last week.
The Indian Army has moved court against the construction of the 450 MW Shong Tong Hydroelectric Project close to its ammo depot. As per the Works of Army Act, 1903, no other activity can be undertaken within a 1,000 m distance of the ammunition depot. As such, the work on the construction of the silt flush tunnel of the hydroelectric project, being executed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), was stopped.
The objection by the Army and the stopping of the work are delaying the completion of the hydroelectric project. As such, the government is keen that forest clearance for the identified land at Mulling is obtained at the earliest. It has been reliably learnt that the Army is keen that it is provided at least 50 hectares for the ammunition depot so that its capacity can be enhanced in view of escalation in tension with China.
At present, the ammunition depot is located on six hectares. The Kinnaur district administration had identified 46 hectares in the Lippa area but as the local panchayat refused to give the mandatory NOC, the state government was forced to scout for some other suitable site. Despite its best efforts, the Kinnaur district administration could not convince the villagers to agree to the relocation of the ammunition depot to Lippa.
The delay in the construction of the Shong Tong project is resulting in cost escalation and loss of revenue to the state government. The issue was also discussed at every civil-military liaison meeting but it remained unresolved.
Army moved court against power project
The Indian Army has moved court against the construction of the 450 MW Shong Tong Hydroelectric Project close to its ammunition depot
As per the Works of Army Act, 1903, no other activity can be undertaken within a 1,000 m distance of the ammunition depot
As such, the work on the construction of the silt flush tunnel of the hydroelectric project, being executed by the HPPCL, was stopped
