Ridge Water Tank Faces Disaster Threat Amid Winter Carnival Festivities: Urgent Action Needed
2 min read
Shimla Dec 25, 2024
Shimla’s historic Ridge Water Tank, a 140-year-old structure categorized as a “very high vulnerable zone” in the Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA) report, is under renewed threat due to the ongoing Winter Carnival. Despite multiple warnings and legal orders, a stage for the event has been erected directly above the fragile tank, raising alarms among experts and citizens.
The Ridge Tank, built without cement and relying solely on lime and mortar, holds 10 lakh gallons of water. Decades of wear and emerging cracks have made it highly susceptible to damage, particularly from activities causing additional stress. Geological reports have flagged the area for potential subsidence and earthquake-induced ground failures, further underscoring its fragility.
Repeated orders from the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a 2007 government notification explicitly prohibit activities within 100 meters of the tank. Yet, the district administration sought permission from Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) for structural clearance—a request the company neither approved nor was equipped to handle.
The Fire Department’s recent use of heavy water tankers and previous plans for other large-scale events on The Ridge have also sparked outrage. Experts have warned that such actions disregard disaster mitigation principles and put lives and heritage at risk.
Citizens and experts are demanding an immediate moratorium on all public events at The Ridge. The Chief Secretary has been urged to act decisively to shift the Winter Carnival stage and prevent further endangerment of this historic structure. Failure to act, they warn, could lead to legal consequences and irreparable damage to the city’s legacy.
