Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 15: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) today raised concerns over the proposed Srinagar-Pahalgam via Khrew road project, stating it would require cutting 845 trees and acquiring 108 kanals of forest land, harming the area’s ecology.
In a statement, EPG urged authorities to halt the project until a thorough environmental impact assessment is conducted.
“It is bound to adversely affect the otherwise fragile environment of the region and ecology of the area through which it passes,” it said.
While the proposed road aims to shorten travel distance to Pahalgam by 30 km compared to existing routes, EPG argued that the environmental cost-deforestation and disruption of local biodiversity-far outweighs its perceived benefits.
“With two existing roads already connecting Srinagar and Pahalgam, the necessity of this new route is not at all justified to be a pressing requirement.”
It warned that excavating tunnels through mountains would weaken rock structures and disrupt vital water sources.
“As Kashmir falls in seismic zone 5, a thorough geographic technical assessment is essential before initiating any tunnelling projects, especially with active and dormant volcanic features,” EPG said.
The group stressed that the assessment must examine subsurface geological conditions to identify fault lines and volcanic activity, crucial for preventing catastrophic failures.
It added that evaluating geo-hydraulic conditions is essential to assess groundwater impacts and potential hazards during construction.
EPG also noted that the proposed road is expected to pass through the notified Wildlife Sanctuary in Tral, posing a serious threat to its wildlife.
“The construction of this road, framed as a means to boost tourism and create employment, must be reconsidered in light of the long-term ecological implications.”
The EPG has called for putting a stop to the planning and development related to the Srinagar-Pahalgam road project until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is conducted.
“We urge stakeholders to explore sustainable alternatives that prioritize conservation and protect our invaluable natural resources.”
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