Dehradun: Uncovered drains, open manholes, and illegal roadside parking continue to pose safety risks for residents and employees in Dehradun’s IT Park, a visit by TOI found.
Developed and maintained by the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL), IT Park has evolved into a major business hub housing technology firms, startup incubators, state and central govt offices, as well as residential units.
Drains across the area were found uncovered, while broken or missing culverts and open manholes on footpaths posed a risk to pedestrians. Roadside parking emerged as another major concern. Cars parked on both sides of roads during working hours reduce two-lane stretches to a single lane, increasing accident risks.
Nikhil Gupta, who has been living in IT Park for the past six months, said walking in the area after dark was difficult due to stray dogs and speeding traffic. “There are too many strays here, and vehicles often move at high speed. Nobody seems to be enforcing the speed limit,” he said. A speed-limit board in the area was found painted over and covered with posters, making it unreadable.
An employee at the IT Park, requesting anonymity, pointed to the absence of public dustbins in the area. “There are several boards asking people to throw garbage in dustbins, but there are no dustbins outside. The area largely remains clean because people carry their waste to their offices for disposal. Still, public dustbins should be installed,” she said.
Another resident highlighted problems during the monsoon. “Rainwater does not stagnate within the complex but rushes towards the entrance with considerable force, damaging roads over time. This is why roads near the entrance are in poor condition. It inconveniences commuters, increases accident risks and generates dust in the area,” the resident said.
Responding to the concerns, SIDCUL general manager (planning) YS Pundir said speed-limit signs would be installed and officials on night duty would be instructed to alert the authorities if stray animals were found in the area. “Missing drain covers are also an issue. Sometimes they are stolen as they are made of iron. We have decided to replace them with cement covers after the monsoon,” he said.
On parking, Pundir said every office was required to provide a designated parking space within its premises. “Some people still prefer roadside parking. We impose penalties when vehicles are found parked on the roadside, after which they are usually removed,” he said.
Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.
About the Author: Prashasti Singh – A Dehradun-based journalist focused on human-interest stories that link local issues to wider national conversations. She covers developments across genres, with a special interest in civic issues, education, and the environment.
