GB-EPA raises alarm over ‘uncontrolled blasting’ along Gilgit-Shandur Road

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA) has raised serious concerns over uncontrolled blasting activities along the Gilgit-Shandur Road, a major construction project stretching 216 kilometers through the scenic yet ecologically sensitive region.

The agency has pointed to numerous violations of environmental regulations and public safety protocols, citing non-compliance with the conditions outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

In a letter to the project director of the Gilgit-Shandur Road, the National Highway Authority (NHA), GB-EPA Deputy Director Khadim Hussain highlighted that despite the conditional approval granted for the road project, there have been multiple instances of uncontrolled blasting, causing environmental degradation and posing significant risks to the local communities.

The letter also noted that public complaints and evidence from social media platforms have brought to light the severity of these violations, which have resulted in damage to both the environment and private property.

One notable incident occurred in the Jaghir Basin, where massive blasting activities led to extensive damage to a popular local establishment, the Shanwari Palace Trout Park Hotel.

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The blast sent debris and huge stones crashing into the hotel, inflicting substantial damage.

This breach of environmental and safety protocols has raised alarm, with the GB-EPA stressing that such activities are in clear violation of the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued for the project, which mandates strict adherence to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and mitigation measures outlined in the EIA report.

The letter further expressed concern over the broader implications of such unchecked blasting activities. The GB-EPA warned that the region could face severe environmental degradation, including destabilization of mountain slopes, increased risk of landslides, and harm to aquatic life due to debris being dumped into the Ghizer and Gilgit rivers.

These concerns echo similar challenges faced in the construction of the Jaglot-Skardu Road, where uncontrolled blasting has contributed to recurring landslides, further endangering local communities and travellers.

GB-EPA’s directive to the NHA called for immediate corrective measures, urging the road construction team to cease all uncontrolled blasting activities and instead implement controlled methods as specified in the EMP.

The agency also demanded that future blasting operations be carried out at predetermined times, with proper prior notice to the affected communities.

In addition, the GB-EPA instructed the NHA to assess the damage inflicted on the trout park and Shanwari Palace and compensate the owners for their losses.

The agency emphasised the need for additional safeguards to prevent further environmental damage and ensure the safety of the local population.

The letter called for regular monitoring reports on the implementation of the EMP and the prescribed mitigation measures, stressing the importance of maintaining environmental integrity throughout the project’s construction phase.

Locals have voiced their concerns from the start of the road’s construction.

Fida Ali Shah, a journalist and activist from Ghizer district, while speaking to HUM News English, alleged that the construction company not only violated environmental laws but also compromised public safety and construction quality.

“We wrote our concerns to the NHA chairman and NHA member North, but no action was taken. In Phander, work began without a proper survey, engineering, or design, leading to damage to two irrigation channels and endangering thousands of trees. On the Phander bypass, they caused large-scale destruction just to direct the road toward the house of a General,” he said.

He further added that uncontrolled blasting and the disposal of debris into the Ghizer River have damaged water channels and disrupted the breeding season of fisheries.

Fida also alleged that in Dhahimal, debris dumped into the river narrowed its passage, causing the land of a local farmer to submerge underwater. Neither compensation was given, nor was any notice taken of the issue.

The Rustam Associates-Dynamic Construction (RA-DC), which holds the Rs50 billion tender for the construction project, has subcontracted smaller tenders to companies like NLC.

When contacted for a statement, RA-DC Project Manager Ehsan expressed ignorance about the GB-EPA letter and refused to provide any further comments on the matter.