Residents of Langu Gadiara Panchayat in Baijnath district are opposing the construction of a sewage treatment plant near their village. They claim the facility is being built on forest land in violation of environmental laws. The villagers have submitted a formal representation to the state government, urging that the project be relocated to a less populated area.
Colonel Anil Raina, speaking on behalf of the villagers, warned that the proximity of the plant would lead to pollution and health risks. Revealing plans to escalate the matter legally, he said a notice has already been served on the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and the matter may be taken to the Supreme Court.
Rahul Dhiman, superintendent engineer of the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) department, defended the project and pointed out that it was a government-approved initiative for the benefit of Baijnath and Paprola towns. Over Rs 5 million have been allocated and half of the construction work has been completed. He claimed that all necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been obtained, including approval from the Pollution Control Board and the local panchayat. To address the concerns of the villagers, the IPH department organized a visit for 30 prominent locals to a similar facility in Dharamshala, which has proven zero pollution. Following the visit, the panchayat issued its NOC. Dhiman emphasized the use of advanced, environment-friendly technology in the plant and urged villagers to cooperate to complete the project on time.
Palampur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sanjeev Sharma confirmed receiving a complaint from Colonel Raina. The forest department has appointed a team led by an assistant conservator to inspect the site and submit a status report. Further measures will follow based on the findings.
While the IPH department assures the public of the plant's safety, villagers remain skeptical and fear long-term environmental and health impacts. The controversy has delayed the project, seen by authorities as a vital development for the region. The dispute underscores the challenge of balancing development with environmental and health concerns as local authorities and residents struggle to find an acceptable solution.