Life on the Edge: Over a Lakh People in Dehradun Living Under Constant Disaster Threat

Dehradun: In Dehradun, more than 1.25 lakh people live precariously along riverbanks, with 129 slum clusters spread across the floodplains. Unchecked construction in the name of tourism, coupled with growing settlements along the Rispana and Bindal rivers, has put the state capital on the brink of a major disaster.

The Rispana and Bindal rivers are swelling dangerously, land is cracking from mountains to plains, and continuous rainfall is worsening the situation. Despite this, illegal constructions along rivers and streams remain unchecked, and policymakers appear indifferent to the looming disaster.

Over 50,000 Houses on Riverbanks

Municipal records reveal that more than 50,000 houses have been built on the banks of rivers and streams in the city. A 2006 survey had flagged 11,000 illegal constructions; that number has now crossed 50,000. With the municipal boundary expansion adding 72 villages, many new settlements have also come up along riverbanks, further escalating the risk.

Following a High Court order, 310 illegal constructions built after 2016 along the Bindal river have been identified and issued notices. However, under rehabilitation schemes, only 112 houses have been built so far in Kathbangla settlement — a minuscule effort compared to the scale of the problem. Municipal Commissioner Namami Bansal has stated that more rehabilitation projects will be introduced, but the measures remain negligible compared to the magnitude of the threat.