PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
Despite regular drain-cleaning drives by the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) waterlogging and overflowing drains continue to be a concern in various parts of the city during the monsoon. Following recent spells of rain, residents in a number of localities reported drains overflowing onto roads, with garbage-laden water creating inconvenience for commuters and people living nearby. Areas close to the Rispana and Bindal rivers remain particularly vulnerable, as silt and waste often accumulate in drains and river channels before spilling onto surrounding roads during heavy rainfall.
Dehradun municipal commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey said that the MCD has been carrying out extensive drain-cleaning work ahead of the monsoon and has removed large quantities of garbage and silt from drains across the city. However, while the corporation is responsible for cleaning drains and removing municipal waste, desilting and cleaning of riverbeds falls under the Irrigation department, he said. According to him, rivers such as Rispana and Bindal also need thorough cleaning before the monsoon as waste and debris flowing from upstream areas can obstruct water flow and increase the risk of flooding. He added that a cleaning drive is planned shortly, during which two-three mechanical excavators will be used to remove debris and silt from the drains and riverbanks. Pandey said that this will help ensure smooth flow of water during the monsoon season and minimise the chance of flooding.
Additional municipal commissioner Rajveer Singh Chauhan said that the corporation has intensified cleaning operations in recent months. According to official figures, nearly 14,576 metric tonnes of waste and silt were removed from drains between March and May. Out of this, 3,299 metric tonnes were cleared in March, 4,623 metric tonnes in April and 6,653 metric tonnes in May. Chauhan said that cleaning work is continuing at multiple locations to ensure smooth flow of rainwater. He added that rainwater generally recedes within a few hours after heavy showers. If water remains accumulated for more than 24 hours, it is treated as a waterlogging issue and action is taken accordingly.
Residents, meanwhile, say that while cleaning efforts have increased, long-term solutions such as better drainage infrastructure and stricter action against dumping waste into drains are needed to prevent recurring problems every monsoon. Dharampur resident Neha Rawat said, “We can see that drain-cleaning work is being carried out, but the problem is that many drains overflow as soon as there is heavy rainfall. Along with regular cleaning, authorities need to identify the areas that face waterlogging every monsoon and find a permanent solution,” she said.
