People living in villages near the 800-MW National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Kol Dam reservoir have asked the authorities to adopt safety measures and prevent more areas from getting submerged, particularly in the rainy season. The lower areas of Tattapani and its surrounding villages have already been submerged by reservoir.
The locals have formed the Sunni-Bhajji Vikas Sanstha (SBVS) to pursue the cause. "The water of Satluj river is touching the roads on both sides," GD Sharma, the sanstha's chief said, adding that the reservoir was posing a threat to human life.
"The road along the reservoir should be fenced properly to prevent any mishap," Sharma added.
The villagers rue that the construction of the reservoir led to loss of hot springs, which, they said, were of great religious importance.
"Now Tattapani is becoming dangerous for human life as well," said SBVS general secretary, DD Gupta. "Daily several animals accidently fall into the reservoir… the same could happen with us anytime," he added.
Near Tattapani, villagers are worried about the school building as rain could cause the water level to rise and submerge it.
Villagers are also upset about losing cremation grounds. "Dam authorities should construct a cremation ground because the previous one has been submerged," the villagers told HT.
{{/usCountry}}Villagers are also upset about losing cremation grounds. "Dam authorities should construct a cremation ground because the previous one has been submerged," the villagers told HT.
{{/usCountry}}Also, Lakshmi Dutt, a resident of Sunni, said the authorities should stop boating in the river, whose depth has increased of late.
"Boating is being carried out without proper life saving equipments," he added.
The Koldam Dam Hydropower Project of the NTPC Limited, commonly known as Kol Dam, is an embankment dam on the Sutlej River near Barmana on the border of Bilaspur and Mandi districts.
The foundation stone of the dam was laid on June 5, 2000, by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
DAM DETAILS
Total capacity 56o lakh cubic meters
Maximum length 40 km
Normal elevation 642 m (2,106 ft)