Muck dumping: Villagers raise alarm over flood risk

Villagers of Shanag, Buruwa and Palchan in Himachal Pradesh are increasingly concerned about the risks of flooding, which they attribute to a muck dumping site from the construction of the Atal Tunnel. According to Shanag panchayat president Roshan Lal, a recent cloudburst in the Anjani Mahadev area on July 25 led to flash floods in the Pagal nullah. The surge breached containment walls and crate wires, spreading debris downstream and causing significant damage in Shanag and Palchan villages.

Residents argue that the muck, removed during the tunnel’s construction and stored in a vulnerable dumping site, now threatens their communities. Palchan Panchayat president Kaushalya warned that, without intervention, the site poses a severe risk. “The security wall by the BRO was washed away by the flood, diverting the river’s flow towards the dumping site. If this isn’t addressed soon, it could lead to a major disaster,” she cautioned.

Buruwa Panchayat president Churamani Thakur shared similar concerns, noting that their panchayat has proposed building reinforced concrete walls on both sides of the Solang Nala dumping area to protect nearby villages. He emphasised the urgency, pointing out that floods could impact the 217 Army Transit Camp and result in significant losses to Central Government property. Residents are pressing the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and state authorities to remove the accumulated debris from the Pagal Nullah and strengthen flood defences.