Dhalwas landslide victims appeal to Nitin Gadkari for long-pending compensation

Ramban, Nov 9: 37 families affected by the massive Dhalwas landslide along National Highway-44 have written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, seeking his personal intervention to ensure the release of their long-pending compensation and rehabilitation package.

In their letter addressed to the Minister, the victims from Panchayat Dhalwas, tehsil and district Ramban, alleged that the March 2020 landslide was a “development-driven disaster”, caused by unscientific hill cutting, faulty planning, and illegal dumping of debris during the widening of the National Highway by construction firm Gammon India and its contractors.

The landslide, which occurred on March 28–29, 2020, destroyed 37 residential houses and caused nearly 50 acres of farmland to slide down the slope, resulting in massive property loss for local farmers.

Official visits and promises.

According to the affected families, soon after the incident, the then Deputy Commissioner Ramban, accompanied by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), visited the site and promised immediate relief and rehabilitation. However, more than four years have passed, and the victims say they are still waiting for justice and compensation.

A team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) also conducted an assessment and, in its final report, attributed the landslide to earth cutting and dumping of muck during the four-laning of NH-44 at Dhalwas.

Families living in dire conditions.

The displaced families have been living in temporary shelters, including panchayat ghars, government schools, and rented private buildings, as per directions from the district administration. However, victims allege that the administration has now stopped paying rent, worsening their plight.

“The financial condition of the farmers is miserable. Many of us lost both land and homes. Our children’s education has been badly affected — some have even dropped out of school,” said Rohit Sharma, one of the affected villagers.

Appeal for Intervention

The victims, led by Shadi Lal and Rohit Sharma, have urged Minister Gadkari to direct the concerned authorities to expedite the process of providing full compensation and rehabilitation to all 37 affected families, as recommended in earlier official reports.

Landslide victims said, despite multiple communications between the District Administration Ramban, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the UT Government, the compensation amount of Rs 29.77 Cr sanctioned for rehabilitation remains unreleased, leaving the victims in prolonged distress.