Munish Sood
Mandi
Barely a day after taking their oath of office from Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, newly-elected grassroots representatives from the Pandoh region made their presence felt by forcefully raising long-pending public issues before the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
At a pre-monsoon preparedness meeting convened by BBMB in Pandoh on Tuesday, local representatives expressed strong dissatisfaction over the absence of senior BBMB officials and questioned the effectiveness of annual consultations that, according to them, rarely translate into action on the ground.
The meeting assumed significance as it marked one of the first collective interventions by the newly-elected panchayat representatives, who said public safety and infrastructure concerns must be addressed before the onset of the monsoon season.
Among those who voiced concerns were Pandoh Panchayat Pradhan Hans Raj, Deputy Pradhan Rohit Kumar, Syog Panchayat Deputy Pradhan Fateh Ram and BDC member Saurav Guleria. The representatives highlighted a range of unresolved issues, including the absence of a protective retaining wall in the vulnerable Pandoh market area, inadequate street lighting, drinking water shortages in nearby localities and the lack of disaster-management facilities for residents affected during heavy rains and natural calamities.
Speaking during the meeting, Fateh Ram said local communities have repeatedly raised these concerns over the years, but little visible progress has been made. He maintained that meetings held before every monsoon season often end without concrete outcomes and expressed disappointment over the continued absence of senior decision-makers from such consultations.
The representatives also sought temporary accommodation facilities for families affected by disasters and called for a comprehensive safety plan for the market and adjoining residential areas, which remain exposed to monsoon-related risks.
They urged BBMB to convene a fresh meeting with senior officials at the earliest and stressed that local communities expect timely action rather than routine assurances. The representatives cautioned that continued neglect of public concerns could trigger a wider public response.
Responding to the issues raised, BBMB Executive Engineer (Electrical and Mechanical Wing) Chandermohan assured participants that all concerns and demands would be forwarded to higher authorities for consideration. He also briefed the gathering on measures being undertaken by BBMB regarding water management and public awareness ahead of the monsoon season.
With the monsoon approaching and memories of past disasters still fresh, the meeting underscored the growing expectations from newly-elected local bodies as they begin their tenure by seeking accountability, improved infrastructure and stronger disaster preparedness measures for communities living around one of the region’s key hydropower installations.
