Fresh concern has emerged from Bhatwari block in Uttarkashi district where alleged blasting during the construction of a tehsil building has reportedly caused cracks in at least five residential houses in Dhumak Tok. Residents claim repeated complaints to officials and the contractor have not resulted in concrete action.
Locals including Abhishek Ramola, Sunil Nautiyal, Suraj Nautiyal, Jagannath Prasad and Ankit Semwal said their earlier homes were damaged in the disasters of 2010, 2012 and 2013. After years of struggle, they were allotted land under a rehabilitation plan and managed to rebuild their houses with difficulty. Now, they allege that ongoing construction work is again putting their homes at risk.
According to residents, rock blasting is being carried out at night to cut through the hill for the under-construction tehsil building. They claim the explosions have led to visible cracks in houses and retaining walls, triggering fear among families. Despite informing Public Works Department officials multiple times, they say no effective steps have been taken to prevent further damage.
Residents have demanded that construction be carried out strictly as per safety norms and warned of agitation if their concerns are ignored.
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Responding to the allegations, Swaraj Chauhan, Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Department, said the contractor does not have permission to conduct blasting. He added that a warning has been issued and any further damage will be the contractor’s responsibility.
