Landslides hit Shimla again; will Development Plan 2041 help in balancing ecology and livelihood? | Opinion Analysis News
In Shimla, problems have only compounded with time. Lessons have not been learned and unplanned, poor construction has gone on unabated. The Development Plan 2041 looks to cater to the capacity of infrastructure the region has, implement major reforms and bring about much needed changes in the water supply and sewerage of the region. But is this assurance enough? Read On
Shimla faces numerous landslides every year. (Image credit: PTI.)
New Delhi: It seems to be a rite of passage now, every monsoon Himachal Pradesh and its capital Shimla see aggravated rains and resulting landslides. On Wednesday, Shimla and adjoining regions saw a spate of such calamities occurring. Heavy rains led to multiple cases of damage to infrastructure and in many areas vegetation also seriously suffered. On Tuesday night as well, there were several instances of trees falling in different parts of Shimla, including a large cedar tree that fell on the Directorate of Information and Public Relations building in Chhota Shimla.
In another related incident, heavy rain washed away a section of the road in Kuftadhar, Rulda Bhatta ward in Shimla. Similarly, the district of Kullu also saw many roads being blocked due to landslides occurring because of heavy rains. In Solan, the Solan-Minas road was blocked for 13 hours before being cleared.
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for continued rainfall, with impending dangers and further disruptions imminent.
Why the current state of disarray?
The occurrences of landslides across the region of Himachal Pradesh have now become a common occurrence. The repeated nature of the problem has made life difficult for the residents of the hill state. It is not just heavy rains that directly cause disruptions. From landslides causing damage to infrastructure to falling trees cutting electricity lines, everyday life often comes to a halt due to this incessant problem of heavy rainfall and landslides that follow.
The problem occurs every year now. In 2023 also, heavy floods and accompanying landslides caused massive damage in Himachal Pradesh and Shimla. At least 48 people were killed in Himachal Pradesh, 14 of them in two Shimla landslides. Many roads were blocked and houses destroyed. A major reason for that places like Shimla see such damages every year is unplanned infrastructure development in these sensitive areas. There are innumerable recent examples where land subsidence has occurred. From cracks developing on roads to whole buildings subsiding, with time the problem has taken over the city and sometimes occurs apart from the rainy season as well.
This can most prominently be attributed to unplanned construction early on in the city’s development. A lot of infrastructure was brought about without paying heed to the sensitive nature of the area’s geology. As a result any fluctuations in the normal way of things bring about heavy damage.
With time this problem has only aggravated. Lessons have not been learned and unplanned, poor construction has gone on unabated. Compounding the problem is a lack of development authorities in rural areas and those that do exist do not function as well as required. The population in the region has only increased with time but this increase has not been managed as well as it should be. The environment seems to have been kept secondary to development. The result is clearly in front of our eyes.
The geology of the region is also extremely sensitive. The layers of rocks and sediment on which the towns are based are slowly weakening with each passing year. This is how nature normally functions, the problem lies that this natural process has been exacerbated due to heavy construction and non-redressal of core problems. This has resulted in the severity of the problem increasing with each passing year and only large-scale solutions brought about swiftly can now save the ‘Queen of the Hills’ from further damage.
Will Development Plan 2041 help?
In aid to this issue, a Development Plan has been prepared for the region, considering its potentials as a tourist destination while keeping in mind the natural environment and ecosystem. The draft Development Plan for the Shimla Planning Area 2041 was published in February 2022. The development plan has been prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department of Himachal Pradesh under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) sub-scheme of the Government of India.
The initial approval for the plan was granted by the previous state government in February 2022. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) though intervened and issued stay orders in May 2022. They found the scheme violated the ban by allowing more floors and new constructions in restricted areas. The state government appealed to the Supreme Court. In January, 2024, the SC gave its approval to the Shimla Development Plan 2041, setting aside the previous orders of the NGT.
Seeing the extent of damage that has already occurred in the region, it is important such jurisdiction is brought about. The question though is if this would be able to balance between environmental needs and those of the inhabitant’s livelihood. The plan looks to cater to the capacity of infrastructure the region has, implement major reforms and bring about much needed changes in the water supply and sewerage of the region. Development of urban transport and development of green spaces and parks is also a key region that comes under the focus of the Development Plan.
To reduce pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non motorised transport is a hopeful step that might bring about major change through the plan. Also in plans are 11 reforms to be brought about during the mission period. Preparation of the Development Plan using GIS is one of the most important reforms that hopes to merge technology with environmental conservation.
Most importantly, the proposed plan will be structurally in tune with the physiography of the areas that are to be developed. This will be done keeping in mind the human vulnerability in the event of natural disasters, something which has been lacking in earlier infrastructure projects in the region. To combat high congestion in the core city area, plans of constructing bypass pathways between highways are also planned.
Sewage system of Shimla is another key area of focus. The city’s original sewage system was designed for a population of 18000 persons in 1880. It has continued for approximately 100 years without any change. Meanwhile the population has seen massive growth. A reform in this system is also a major area of the Development Plan.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. The opinions and facts in this article do not represent the stand of News9.)
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