PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/DEHRADUN
To provide relief from the cold to the public at night, the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has set up bonfires at major locations across the city. The move especially aims to support homeless individuals, labourers and those who remain outdoors during night hours.
Chief municipal health officer Dr Avinash Khanna informed that bonfires have been arranged at ISBT, Niranjanpur Mandi, Railway Station, Doon Hospital Chowk, Clock Tower, Kanak Chowk, Survey Chowk, Dilaram Chowk, Mussoorie Diversion, areas near Sai Mandir and Shani Mandir, Rajpur Bus Stand, Kishan Nagar Chowk, Ballupur Chowk, Balliwala Chowk, along with Rain Baseras at Transport Nagar, Lal Pul and Chunabhatta.
According to officials, the initiative is intended to prevent cold-related illnesses and ensure that people without adequate shelter get some relief from the cold at night. The MCD has activated 22 bonfire points so far, with more to be added gradually. Last year, bonfires were arranged at 81 locations, with 40–45 functional on average during peak winter.
The bonfire arrangement, which started on November 27, will continue till the first week of February. A total of 25 labourers have been deployed to manage the points, and additional manpower will be assigned if required. The corporation has estimated a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh for the initiative, with firewood sourced from the Forest department and the remaining purchased through contractors. The vehicles and labour support are being provided by the corporation itself, officials said.
Daily bonfires are also being lit at rain shelters in Lal Pul, Ghantaghar, Transport Nagar and Chunnabhatta to protect people from the cold wave, Khanna said.
