Cracks detected in houses in Jamrani dam project area, DM orders investigation
The Nainital district administration has decided to install a seismograph to monitor seismic activity and determine the cause of the cracks
Haldwani: The Nainital district administration in Uttarakhand has constituted a committee to investigate the cracks appeared in some houses within the impact zone of the Jamrani Dam Project in Haldwani and decided to install a seismograph to monitor seismic activity and determine the cause of the cracks, officials said on Wednesday.
Officials said district magistrate Vandana (who goes by her first name) has taken swift action following reports of cracks appearing in several houses in the Khatikhan area and has constituted a committee to investigate the matter.
A team of officials and geologists confirmed the presence of cracks after an inspection in the area on Wednesday. The district administration has also directed the Jamrani Dam Project to halt any blasting operations in its site and to begin construction of a protective security wall for the nearby village.
A team led by sub-district magistrate (SDM) Nainital Nawazish Khaliq conducted a site inspection of the affected area, where seven houses are situated. Khaliq said geologist Kamini Bisht conducted an assessment of the damage. “She recommended the immediate installation of a seismograph to monitor seismic activity and determine the cause of the cracks. It has been decided that the device will be installed by Friday”.
“Until the seismograph is operational, all blasting activities in the vicinity have been suspended”, he added.
He said project Manager Himanshu Pant of the Jamrani Dam Project has been formally instructed to halt any such operations and begin the construction of a protective security wall for the village.
The inspection team, which included several departmental officers, emphasised the importance of safety measures and continuous monitoring to prevent further structural damage in the area.
The Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana is expected to provide 170 MLD (million litres per day) drinking water for the estimated population of Haldwani and border areas till the year 2051. It will also provide water for irrigation for about 57,000 hectares of agricultural land in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
In March this year, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was informed in a meeting that a target has been set to complete the Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project by March 2029. The estimated cost of this project is ₹3,638 crore, out of which ₹678 crore has been spent.
