With monsoon nearing, DMC starts cleaning clogged drains in Dehradun

DEHRADUN: Learning from its last year’s mistakes when heavy rains flooded most of the low-lying areas of the city during monsoon, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has started cleaning clogged drains across the city.
City mayor Sunil Uniyal Gama, who visited some of the sites where drains are lying clogged, said that though the workers have started cleaning many of them, the work will speed up once the model code of conduct is lifted.“Many officials are busy with poll duty. Though the cleaning has started, the process will speed up after Thursday when they are free of the election duty,” Gama said.
Gama added that DMC officials will also visit the major drains in the city and chalk out plans to clear encroachments which hinder water flow during monsoons. “We have received many complaints that encroachments in the drains, in Rispana and Bindal are hindering rainwater drainage from the city’s low-lying areas due to which sludge and water enter many homes. We have now decided to clear all encroachments from the slums to ensure free flow of water,” Gama said.
As reported by TOI earlier, the major drains as well as rivulets in the city have been encroached upon while many have been flatten out for construction which often leads to deluge like situation in the low lying areas especially near Rispana and Bindal river.
Dozens of temporary homes were washed away last year after heavy rains flooded the two major rivers of the city while most of the slums were flooded. At least one death was also recorded due to excess rains.
Meanwhile, CM Trivendra Singh Rawat and Gama visted the Sahastradhara trenching ground and declared that the ground will be developed as the biggest park in the city.
The ground was earlier used to dump waste but has been lying unused since the Shishambara waste segregation plant became functional in December 2017. “We have surveyed the ground and the CM has assured that he will provide all the necessary help for developing this ground into the city’s biggest park. Discussions are on and soon we will come up with a DPR,” Gama said.