Elevated roads over Rispana & Bindal Rivers, threat to Dehradun-Mussoorie: Experts
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Experts have cautioned that the construction of the elevated roads over the Rispana and Bindal rivers in Dehradun poses a threat not only to the city itself but also to the stability of popular hill station, Mussoorie. They emphasised the critical need to suspend the Rispana Bindal Elevated Corridor (RBEC) project before it commences and proposed a three-tier action plan to achieve this. This statement was made during the inaugural session of the Dehradun Citizens Forum’s (DCF) Rispana–Bindal Knowledge Series held recently.
During the event, Pune-based expert in urban flooding and river systems, architect Sarang Yadwadkar, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the geographical characteristics of the two rivers, detailing how the planned construction could significantly disrupt their flow and increase flood risks. He said that recent years have seen a worsening of climate change, particularly in the hilly regions where cloudbursts are occurring more often and rainfall, despite fewer rainy days, has become more intense. The steep mountain slopes of the Rispana and Bindal river catchment areas are at risk of severe damage in the event of a cloudburst. The danger is heightened by the fact that this area is classified within Seismic Zone VI. He said that encroachments have already reduced the width of the riverbeds and the construction of pillars for a 26-kilometre elevated road on and alongside the riverbed would further impede water flow.
Participants raised alarms about the extensive concreting in the city’s core, the removal of trees to pave the way for development and the frequent transportation of debris and construction materials, which necessitates hundreds of truck trips. These activities are expected to pose significant environmental and health risks to the residents of Dehradun.
Further, DCF member Anoop Nautiyal informed that this series will continue with future sessions focusing on various aspects of the proposed elevated road project.
