14-Day Protest at Sunni Dam Project Ends After Successful Negotiations

Shimla, August 19: The 14-day “work stoppage” protest at the Sunni Dam Project came to an end today following successful negotiations mediated by the Shimla district administration. The decision was reached during a meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anupam Kashyap, involving project officials and local residents.

DC Kashyap acknowledged that the protest was driven by the demands and concerns of the local community. After extensive discussions, it was agreed that the grievances of the affected and displaced individuals would be addressed, ensuring maximum benefits for them.

The DC instructed project officials to prioritize local residents for new job openings within the project. He emphasized that any employment of individuals from outside Himachal Pradesh must be reported to the Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), who has been appointed as the nodal officer for all related matters.

In addition to employment concerns, local residents had also raised issues regarding traffic management and road widening. The DC directed the project authorities to minimize noise during operations at the dumping site and reduce vehicle movement during school hours to prevent traffic congestion on narrow roads.

Shimla Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, urged both the local community and project officials to work together harmoniously, stressing that the district administration’s goal is to maximize the benefits of the dam project for the affected population, ensuring local employment opportunities.