433 tonnes of waste removed from Rispana in two days, raising questions over river’s condition

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun

The poor condition of the Rispana river has once again come into focus after the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) removed more than 433 metric tonnes of waste and debris from the river and its banks within just two days of starting its 100-day cleaning campaign.

The “100 Days, One Mission-Reviving Our River Rispana” was launched on June 17. According to the MCD, 185.84 metric tonnes of waste and debris were removed on the first day, while another 247.42 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) was cleared on June 18. The huge quantity of waste removed shows how much garbage and debris had built up in and around the river over the years. During the drive, teams cleared plastic waste, construction debris and other materials that were blocking the river flow and drainage channels. The officials said that the campaign aims to bring the river back to a cleaner condition, improve water flow and reduce drainage problems during the monsoon. Mechanical excavators, dumpers and tractor-trolleys have been deployed for the operation, which is being carried out along with the city’s pre-monsoon drain-cleaning work.

However, the removal of more than 433 tonnes of waste in just two days has also raised questions about waste disposal practices and the condition of the river over the years. The continuous dumping of garbage and debris into the river has reduced water flow, increased pollution and raised the risk of waterlogging during heavy rains. While the corporation has set a target of cleaning and restoring the entire stretch of the Rispana and its connected drains, the quantity of waste removed so far shows the scale of the task ahead.