HP Chief Secretary advocates preserving ecology while building roads

Shimla, Nov 26 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop inaugurated a workshop on 'Geo-technical Engineering and Landslide Investigation' jointly organised by State Road Project, Other Infrastructure Development Corporation and Central Research Institute, New Delhi here today.

Speaking at the workshop, which was attended by engineers of Public Works Department, State Road Project and Horticulture Wing, the Chief Secretary said that construction of roads should be carried out in a methodical manner to avoid destabilising of mountains and to ensure that fragile ecology is not disturbed.

"Roads suffer massive damage due to landslides and improving the construction techniques could mitigate such damages. Scientific study should be conducted to devise such methodology," she added.

"Undertaking geo-environmental studies are essential to tackle the damages caused by natural disasters in hilly areas besides their implementation." She stressed upon the need to come up with recommendations on fast growing forest species, which could contain soil erosion after the roads are built. Frequent and widespread slope failures in buildup area is one of the areas, which needed immediate attention, she said.

The project executing agencies should also make proper provision of dumping sites to avoid blocking of roads and inconvenience to people of the areas, the Chief Secretary added.

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