Kullu: Villagers of Doghri-2 in Gram Panchayat Mashna are reeling under heavy losses after a major technical failure at the DSL Hydro Power Project triggered widespread destruction in the area.
According to residents, the shaft of the project broke late Thursday, causing the pipeline to burst and release a strong flow of water mixed with debris. The sudden gush left deep cracks in the ground, sweeping away orchards, crops, and hundreds of apple and Japanese fruit trees, the primary source of the community’s livelihood.
The damage did not stop there. The village drinking water supply tank and a women’s bathroom facility were also washed away. With the land now unstable and water continuing to gush from the damaged pipeline, families have been forced to abandon their homes and seek shelter in nearby villages.
Local panchayat leaders, including Gram Panchayat Mashna Pradhan Baldev, held the hydro project management accountable, accusing them of neglect over years. “We have been requesting repairs and safety measures for a long time, but our appeals were ignored. Today, the negligence has caused irreparable harm,” said Baldev.
Residents fear that the situation could worsen if urgent repair and mitigation work is not undertaken. The constant flow from the broken shaft and the presence of dumped soil in the area have increased the risk of further landslides and property loss.
Authorities are yet to announce compensation or a rehabilitation plan for the displaced families. Meanwhile, villagers are demanding immediate government intervention to ensure safety and prevent additional destruction.
