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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Cost of stabilising failed slopes pegged at Rs. 35.50 crore

GOVT ENDORSES MITIGATION MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY MINES & GEOLOGY DEPTT
GANGTOK, 28 Nov: The State government, through the Mines and Geology Department, has decided to undertake a number of appropriate mitigation measures for landslides that may be triggered on slopes weakened by the 18 September Earthquake. Several of the mitigation measures decided upon by the government were also submitted to the Central government through the Ministry of Home Affairs in the month of October, it is learnt.
These were proposed by the Mines and Geology Department immediately in the aftermath of the earthquake after having identified some of the more vulnerable spots. The total cost of the mitigation measures initially proposed by the department and to be applied in the identified vulnerable spots has been assessed at Rs. 35.50 crore. These included both short term measures as well as long term measures.
The estimated cost for short term measures was assessed at Rs. 12.30 crore and the estimates for long term measures at Rs. 23.20 crore. It is however to be noted that these measures were proposed only for the 12 most vulnerable landslide zones identified in the state after an initial study of the areas. Director, BN Sharma informs that in order for the experts to propose further measures, a more detailed and comprehensive study of the various vulnerable zones needs to be undertaken.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, experts from the Mines & Geology department, during their initial study of various affected areas in the state [read NOW! dated 28 Nov 2011 for details on findings], had assessed that some places were in need of immediate mitigation measures due to the threat they posed to habitations.
Besides, a few such habitations have already been abandoned as the people recognized the impending threat. In these areas, there had been total slope failure with many hill slopes totally wiped out. Several villages were found to be endangered due to damage to upslope “…which may with the onset of monsoon damage the area irreparably by the flowing of debris and boulders causing massive loss to life and property…”
In light of the situation, the experts had reported that immediate suitable mitigation measures were required to prevent further damage to landforms and infrastructure to future monsoons and other natural disasters.
The identified vulnerable areas include:
• Daragoan area in Jorethang, South Sikkim
• Lower Samdong village area in West Sikkim
• Kopi Bari area near Gangtok
• Dzongu Area in North Sikkim including Saffu and Bey areas; other areas in north Sikkim include Lachung (Phaka area), Chungthang and Theng areas, and Chungthang and Lachung areas.
• Also included in the vulnerable zones are Namcheybong and Changey and Aho Senti areas in East Sikkim. 
Short term mitigative measures proposed to be undertaken in these areas include rock bolting, grouting gabion wall, wire mess gabions, shotcreting catch water drainage etc.
The long term measures include studies of landslides all over the state with 80 landslides to be studied in the first year. It is proposed that 20 landslides be studied from each district and mitigation undertaken after a complete study. It is expected that the proposed long term studies and measures will help in minimizing the damage to life and property apart from helping to create a database for future use.
Apart from the short term and long term mitigative measures proposed to be undertaken for control of slope failure in various places the state government through the concerned department has also proposed to undertake studies in various places throughout the state. These include:
- Geotechnical study of Development Area, Gangtok
- Geotechnical and stability study of Tsochen Phen and Parkha East Sikkim;
- Geological, geotechnical and stability study of Ratmatey slide, Kumrek and Bhasmey slides, East Sikkim and also that of Tathangchen slide
- Geotechnical investigation of Saleley slide, south Sikkim

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