PNS | DEHRADUN
Dehradun district administration imposed a penalty of Rs one lakh on Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) for failing to comply with the conditions of a road-cutting permit. On the orders of Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal, the sub divisional magistrate Kumkum Joshi on Sunday imposed the penalty for the improper restoration of road surfaces after construction work, causing inconvenience to commuters.
She also warned of revoking permissions if the violations persist. Joshi said that the issue came to light following complaints and media reports highlighting negligence by agencies involved in laying underground power and sewer lines. To address these concerns, the DM directed a team led by SDM Joshi to inspect key sites, including GMS Road, Haridwar Bypass and Mata Mandir Road. During the inspection, the team reportedly observed multiple violations including the lack of adherence to safety standards and improper road restoration.
The construction work, funded under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project, involves the undergrounding of overhead power lines along key roads in Dehradun. UPCL had been granted permission for road cutting along a three-kilometre stretch from Transportnagar to Kamla Palace Chowk on GMS Road between December 17 and January 15, 2025, during night hours i.e. 10 PM to 5 AM.
However, the inspection reportedly revealed unsafe conditions, including unremoved debris, incomplete road restoration and the absence of essential safety measures such as barricades, reflective tapes, traffic cones and hazard markers, as per the SDM. These lapses not only violated the permit conditions but also posed significant risks to commuters, particularly those in smaller vehicles.
Considering this, the DM instructed the SDM to ensure immediate removal of debris and proper road restoration. The penalty of Rs one lakh was imposed to hold UPCL accountable, with a directive to prioritise compliance with all stipulated conditions. The UPCL officials were warned that failure to comply with rules may result in the cancellation of the permit in future, Joshi said.
