: The cost of new infrastructure in Dehradun: Rivers Rispana and Bindal #IndiaNEWS #National Satyam KumarDehradun, June 14 (IANS/ 101Reporters) Even as the Uttarakhand government pushes for an elevated

The cost of new infrastructure in Dehradun: Rivers Rispana and Bindal #IndiaNEWS #National
Satyam KumarDehradun, June 14 (IANS/ 101Reporters) Even as the Uttarakhand government pushes for an elevated road over the Rispana and Bindal rivers that serve Dehradun, residents and activists cry foul. An elevated 11km road over the Rispana and another 15km road over the Bindal, to be built at a cost of Rs 4525. 53 crore and Rs 4927. 18 crore respectively is planned to rid the city of its traffic congestion. But the people here would rather have authorities rejuvenate these dying rivers that are the lifelines of the city.
Of the two, Bindal is a seasonal river that flows only during the monsoon and helps prevent flooding in the city. Rispana, on the other hand, is a perennial river that originates in the Laal Tippa hills of Mussoorie, and after flowing past the Massey Falls and Sikhar Falls, enters Dehradun near Rajpur. Journeying through Amwala and Tapovan, it meets the Bindal at Ajabpur. In its 27km journey, Rispana covers a catchment area of 53. 45 sq km.
The deteriorating state of Rispana
Dr Sunil Naithani from Doon Universitys Environmental Natural Resources Department emphasised the importance of the Rispana river to the location.
Rispana flows both on the surface and underground. Hence, it plays an important role in maintaining the groundwater level in the city, he said.
Until recently, Rispana catered to the needs of the citys population, as the Rajpur Canal built on the river brought its waters to central Dehradun, while helping irrigate farms on its rural banks, said Doon Science Forum Coordinator Vijay Bhatt.
Although there are some other rivers around Dehradun, Rispana was instrumental in recharging the citys waters due to its proximity, he explained, adding that the citys growing population took a toll on what was once a broad, clean river.
People took to throwing household garbage directly into the river. Once Dehradun became the capital of Uttarakhand, slums housing migrant labour came up along its banks. These slums have metamorphosed into permanent colonies now.
From a breadth of 100m, the river has now narrowed to a 10-20m drain. The many tributaries that flow into it have also become victims of unplanned development all over the city.
Activists working to rejuvenate the river believe that the administration had provided water and electricity connections to the many unauthorised slums on the riverbank, nurturing these housing developments as a vote bank by political parties. These unauthorised slums in Dehradun, have been questioned through many public interest litigations filed in the Uttarakhand High Court and explanations have been demanded from the Mussoorie-Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and Dehradun Municipal Corporation.

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