The capital city of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is grappling with a severe infrastructure crisis as uncoordinated digging by multiple utility agencies has left its road network in shambles. Major stretches across the city have been excavated, causing immense hardship for daily commuters and raising serious questions about urban planning and the use of public funds.
Residents Voice Anger Over Perpetual Digging
Citizens have expressed deep frustration over the lack of coordination between different departments, with several projects being executed at the same time, worsening the commute. Ashish Garg, a resident of Kewal Vihar, highlighted the perpetual state of disrepair on Sahastradhara Road. "First, a drinking water pipeline was laid. After complaints, the road was repaired only to be dug up again for a sewer line," he said, questioning the waste of taxpayers' money and the poor quality of hurried patchwork, especially problematic during the monsoon.
Manjhi Mehra, another area resident, pointed out the irony of Rajpur Road. The stretch, often beautified for VIP visits like the President of India's tours and the Investors' Summit, has now been turned into a dustbowl by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL). "What was supposed to be a VIP road now has no space left for people to walk," Mehra lamented.
Daytime Work and Major Problem Areas
Despite district administration claims of granting permissions for night work to minimize disruption, projects continue during the day, leading to significant traffic snarls. Key areas affected include GMS Road, Turner Road, Dilaram Chowk, Dharampur, Nehru Colony, Rajpur Road, and Chakrata Road.
The business community is also suffering. Rishabh, a mobile shop owner on Chakrata Road, stated that unplanned digging at multiple points is preventing customers from walking or parking. "A similar situation exists along Haridwar Bypass Road. Residents and businesses are suffering alike," he said, questioning why repairs are carried out months later.
Administration Cracks Down, Agencies Respond
Taking cognizance of the public outcry, the district administration on Tuesday took strict action. It suspended the road cutting work permits of UPCL for two months after an inspection revealed gross violations. Officials stated that UPCL was carrying out underground cabling work on main roads like from Sabzi Mandi Chowk to ISBT and Ballupur Chowk to Sabzi Mandi Chowk under the ADB-funded Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project (UCRPSDP) during the day, contrary to provisions.
The inspection found serious irregularities at sites including Rispana, Araghar Chowk, and Doon University Road. Necessary safety measures like barricades, reflective tape, and signage were missing, and excavation debris was left on roads, narrowing them and creating hazardous conditions.
Earlier, the administration had also pulled up the Gas Authority Of India Limited (GAIL) for irregularities. When contacted, UPCL managing director Anil Kumar defended the ongoing underground cabling as a vital project for modernizing power infrastructure and ensuring seamless supply. He said directions have been issued to finish the work quickly while maintaining standards and addressing resident concerns.
Officials from Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan informed that major projects at Dilaram Chowk and Pithuwala, with permission granted till December 25, would finish soon, after which repairs would be undertaken to minimize inconvenience.
