Residents of Dehradun have expressed concern over inefficient drainage in the city, saying this monsoon has yet again exposed the lack of preparations by authorities. With the rains witnessed so far this season, many residents said that they have had to think twice before stepping out as many roads across the city suffer from overflow due to an inefficient drainage system.
They urged the authorities to make a proper plan ahead of every monsoon season to address waterlogging, drainage and potholes, warning that continued negligence could lead to accidents and other problems.
Doonites have been complaining that the drainage problem has worsened over the years, attributing it to concretisation of pathways and felling of trees, which reduce rainwater absorption. Manish Verma said that having lived in Dehradun for many years, he has never seen such waterlogging.
“This time the drainage system is in its worst condition. The authorities are responsible for this situation. The felling of trees and excessive cementing and tiling have led to poor drainage. Secondly, the planning needed before the monsoon season has been ignored,” he said.
Another resident, Shaily Jha said, “I have almost fallen several times because the roads in Dehradun are filled with rainwater. The poor drainage system this monsoon raises serious questions about the administration’s preparations.”
Senior citizen Prabhudev Kumar said that he had never seen such conditions during the monsoon in the city before. “The drainage condition of the city has worsened this year. Authorities should take this matter seriously so that in the next monsoon season, the roads in Dehradun are not in such a bad condition,” he said.
