Nahan, July 8,
Despite clear judicial directives, allegations of illegal dynamite blasting have surfaced along the NH-707 stretch near Gangtoli in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, raising concerns over environmental degradation and public safety.
Locals and environmental activists fear that the ongoing activity could trigger landslides, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season.
Secretary of the Prayas Society, Dheeraj Ramol, has voiced strong concerns regarding what he terms a “blatant disregard” for environmental safety norms. According to Ramol, large-scale use of explosives—reportedly hundreds of kilos at a time—is being carried out in full public view, with the reverberations of the blasts felt several kilometres away.
“Despite being aware, the authorities have not acted. The question remains: how are such large quantities of explosives being sourced and under whose watch?†asked Ramol, demanding immediate government intervention.
The blasting, allegedly linked to Phase 3 construction on NH-707 being carried out by Rudnav Infra—said to be operating under HES Infra—has reportedly led to debris being dumped directly into local water channels.
This, according to environmental groups, is not only affecting natural water sources but also threatening long-term ecological balance.
The use of dynamite for road construction is regulated under various guidelines, including those from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal. While the intent may be to expedite road expansion, experts caution that such practices during the rainy season can destabilize fragile Himalayan slopes and pose significant risk to nearby settlements.
However, the concerned departments—including the district administration, police, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)—have yet to issue an official statement addressing the matter. Repeated attempts to contact officials for clarification remained unanswered at the time of filing this report.
Local residents have expressed fear and frustration, alleging that the blasting has continued even at night and that their safety concerns are being ignored. Environmental activists and citizen groups have called for an immediate halt to such activities until a thorough review is conducted.
The issue has spotlighted the tension between infrastructure development and ecological preservation, especially in geologically sensitive areas like Himachal Pradesh
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