The Dehradun district administration on Thursday took strict action against a resort owner for illegally diverting a river near Maldevta, causing damage of nearly Rs 6 crore to government property, including a washed-out road stretch.
At Kisanpuri Bandawali in Maldevta, the resort owner had diverted the river without permission to build a large resort. This diversion caused serious damage to the environment and local infrastructure. About 150 meters of road was washed away, leading to massive losses worth over Rs 6 crore.
District Magistrate (DM) Savin Bansal inspected the spot and ordered a high-level probe into the illegal river diversion, unauthorised construction of the resort, and changes made to the riverbank. He stressed the need for strict punishment against those responsible.
After rescuing stranded people from disaster-hit parts of Dehradun, the district administration has now shifted focus to restoring key services like roads, electricity, water supply, and other facilities.
DM Bansal, along with Chief Development Officer (CDO) Abhinav Shah, inspected damaged roads and bridges in Maldevta, Dwara Pul, Khairi Dhanola, Kisanpuri Bandawali, and near Kothal Gate on the Mussoorie Road on Wednesday. He directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to immediately restore damaged roads and bridges to ensure smooth traffic.
Also Read: NCC Cadets to scale Himachal, Uttarakhand peaks
Heavy rain had also damaged the approach road to the Dwara suspension bridge at Kumalda, washing away the local playground. The PWD quickly repaired the approach road, restoring traffic. The DM asked officials to strengthen the bridge with wire crates for long-term stability.
At Kisanpuri Bandawali, the DM again inspected the 150-meter washed-out road. He repeated that the river diversion and illegal resort construction caused property damage worth nearly Rs 6 crore. He called for a high-level inquiry and ordered immediate road reconstruction and channelisation of the river.
At Kesherwala in Maldevta, he inspected another washed-out motor road and instructed officials to install wire crates, reopen the road at the earliest, and repair the damaged portions by channelising the river.
The DM also reviewed the damaged bridge and Bailey Bridge construction near Kothal Gate on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road. The collapse of the motor bridge here had cut off Mussoorie’s connectivity. From the very first day, the DM deployed the SDM and senior PWD officers on site, directing them to complete the Bailey Bridge on a war footing.
With close monitoring, the bridge was completed in record time, restoring traffic and providing huge relief to the people of Mussoorie. At present, light vehicles are allowed to use the Bailey Bridge.
Follow us
