The diversion of the flow of Alaknanda river in Srinagar has created danger to Kedar Mohalla in Srinagar and Chauras, the campus of Garhwal Central University in Tehri district, causing damage amounting to Rs 20 crore.
This has also washed away the road to the suspension bridge and is cutting the bank on Tehri district side posing danger to the Chauras campus while the collapse of the retaining wall near the 800 year old Keshorai Math temple has also created a risk to this shrine. The water level of the river on Monday was 534.09 meters.
Garhwal Commissioner Subardhan visited Chauras and inspected the damaged property of Garhwal Central University. He instructed the Kirtinagar SDM to make a plan to ensure the safety of the university campus and sought a report from the university about the damage. The university will face risk in case heavy rains cause a rise in the level of water in the river and at present there is no way of protecting properties here. According to the university PRO Ashutosh Bahuguna, about 30,000 sq metres land was affected apart from the road from the campus to the bridge was damaged causing damage worth Rs 20 crore.
A team from IIT Roorkee had surveyed Chauras to submit a report on treatment of the affected area but this report is yet to be received by the university. The Srinagar SDM Raza Abbas said that the altered flow of the Alaknanda has damaged the retaining wall of Keshorai Math which might be damaged further in case of rising waters.
On the district magistrate’s instructions, the Irrigation Department has started working on measures to secure this 800 year old shrine. It should be mentioned here that while one bank of the river falls under Pauri district, the opposite bank falls in Tehri district in this region.