PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The 100-day mission of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun to clean drains came under scrutiny after moderate rain on Sunday led to overflowing drains and waterlogging in various parts of the city.
Despite claims of extensive drain cleaning under the campaign, n and sludge were seen overflowing from drains onto roads at multiple locations, resulting in clogged stretches and accumulation of water. The situation disrupted movement in some areas and raised concerns over the effectiveness of the ongoing exercise. The civic body has maintained that the drive started in March aims to prevent such issues ahead of the monsoon by ensuring drains remain clear. However, the latest spell of rain appeared to expose gaps on the ground, with visible signs of incomplete desilting and poor maintenance.
Local resident Suresh Kumar said, “There’s no drain in our area. After the rain, mud and water just accumulated on the road near Peepal Chowk in Nehrugram. I saw at least two people on scooters slip right in front of me. I am not sure how many others might have been hurt in the last couple of days”.
Another local Ramesh Rawat said, “Waterlogging has become a regular problem here after even a short spell of rain. Near the main road in Dharampur, the water doesn’t drain out and turns the stretch slippery. It’s becoming risky for commuters,” he said.
Additional municipal commissioner Praveen Kumar said that waterlogging in residential areas remains a concern and the corporation is working continuously to address it. He said that the 100-day mission, which has been carried out over the past two years, focuses on cleaning both major and minor drains, as clogged drainage is a major cause of water accumulation.
According to Kumar, a large-scale cleaning drive is currently underway, covering major drains, rivers and smaller channels across the city. He added that sanitation work is being carried out in two phases, general cleaning in the morning, followed by focused drain cleaning between 2 PM and 6 PM by sanitation workers. He also acknowledged that some areas continue to face persistent issues. Quick response teams have been deployed to attend to complaints and clear blockages on priority, he added.
