The conservation plan for Ranchi Hill, a khondalite structure in danger of caving in either through landslide or erosion, now stands uncertain.
The Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) returned the state urban development department the unused Rs 1.75 crore of Rs 4.6 crore meant to build a guard wall or cemented pathway, along with other initiatives.
The construction of guard wall, which began in May 2013, is still incomplete.
On why Rs 1.75 crore was returned to the state department on Friday when the guard wall is unfinished, RRDA officials said they failed to get a green light from the district administration after September 18, 2015, when their work was halted to mount India's tallest flagpole.
RRDA sources alleged though the construction of the base for the flag pole was done in consultation with Mecon, the dangers of soil erosion and landslide looming on the hill were not considered.
In 2012-13, urban development department sanctioned Rs 4.6 crore to construct a guard wall project to safeguard the hill on which Pahari Mandir stands from possible erosion and landslide. Then urban development secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni directed the RRDA to take up the work at the earliest. The job also involved making a drainage system, installing 20 solar lights and beautifying the hill. Another Rs 93,000 was sanctioned for extensive plantation jobs.
But, as the Tricolour and its maintenance took precedence all through 2016, the guard wall project went into the backburner.
Right now, more than half of the guard wall work has been done, with a 90-metre stretch from the temple to the built portion incomplete. The installation of solar lights and plantation work is undone.
"Initially, we wanted to construct the guard wall (which is in form of a road) till the temple. But, district officials associated with Pahari temple committee instructed the guard wall construction be stopped. RRDA opposed it and wrote to urban development department to intervene. The department directed deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar to ensure the work restarted, but to no avail," said a senior RRDA official.
Ajit Louis Lakra, chief engineer of RRDA, said he did not want to comment anymore on the project. "Let the DC take a call," he said.?
Mukesh Agarwal, the spokesman of Pahari Mandir Vikas Samiti, claimed they stopped the construction of guard wall as Mecon said it was not needed.
J.K. Jha, head of the technical team of Mecon, said the guard wall would not have given much protection. "The hill needs slope stability for natural protection against erosion. Our team in association with Geological Survey of India is working on preparing a detailed project report to strengthen the hill," he said.
Ranchi deputy commissioner Kumar also put the onus on Mecon. "When the flag project was incepted, the Mecon team pointed out that making a guard wall won't prevent landslides or stop erosion," he said.
Guard wall or not, the hill is in danger. Senior geologist and environmentalist Nitish Priyadarshi said the conical hill stands at a 70-degree inclination, a steep slope, and is not hard rock anymore but more of soil, geologically known as khondalite.
"On this type of soil, we do not recommend big construction. Cracks are spotted in the hill, which means immediate steps are needed to stop erosion. The guard wall can protect erosion or landslide to only some extent but it is imperative not come up with a bigger construction," he said.
How can Ranchi Hill be saved from further damage? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
