Taking serious cognisance of landslide and land loss at the Nihal Nala (mountain stream) near the Raj Bhawan in Nainital, the Governor Krishan Kant Paul has directed officials concerned to start the work necessary to prevent further damage here in view of the monsoon season.
The Governor said that considering that the monsoon season is about to start, no time should be lost and protective work should be started to prevent land loss. Stressing that this task is very sensitive, the government directed officials to also ensure the pre dispatch report of the raw material to be used in repair work and third party inspection report. Paul further told officials to present the scheduled work in writing so that the officials concerned at the local level can monitor the quality and progress of the repair works.
He stressed that the penalty clause will also be implemented in case the work is not completed as per the time limit and in accordance with standards set. While talking on the issue of tree plantation in the affected area, the governor said that it is importance to understand which type of flora to be planted where in order to mitigate landslide using tree plantation. The THDC official in the meeting informed the governor that the treatment work will be started within a week with the work of topographical and geological survey having been completed according to which the repair work designed has been drafted.
It is pertinent to mention here that in order to facilitate a long term solution to the redress the situation in areas vulnerable to landslide, last year during July the governor had held a meeting with officials of the THDC and PWD on this issue.