Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 17 May: Local villagers in the Mussoorie region are growing increasingly concerned over the ongoing road construction work along the banks of the Rispana River. Villagers have raised serious questions regarding the disposal of debris and soil being excavated during the construction of a road—approximately four kilometres in length—that stretches from Barlowganj to Chamasari village. Residents allege that the debris generated by the construction work is being dumped along the riverbanks and on the steep hill slopes, a practice that could significantly heighten the risk of future disasters such as floods and landslides. According to reports, this road construction project is being executed by the Mussoorie Municipal Council at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 76 lakh. Villagers acknowledge that road construction is essential for development; however, they warn that, if environmental standards and safety protocols are not strictly adhered to, the villages situated downstream could ultimately bear the brunt of the consequences.
Surendra Panwar, a resident of Khetwala village, alleged that debris from the road construction is accumulating within the Rispana River basin, thereby continuously escalating the risk of flooding in the villages of Khetwala, Chamasari, and Makreti. He further stated that the construction agency is failing to utilise designated dumping zones and is instead indiscriminately discarding the debris along the edges of the hills. Villagers emphasise that the tragedy of the cloudburst that struck the region on September 16 of last year remains fresh in the collective memory of the community. That devastating incident resulted in damage to numerous homes and claimed the lives of a couple. In light of this, people have become increasingly sensitive to any form of environmental threat. Local residents have demanded that the administration conduct an environmental assessment of the road construction project and ensure that debris is disposed of in a scientific manner, strictly within designated dumping zones. Villagers warn that, if appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner, the flow of the river could be disrupted during the monsoon season, potentially leading to a catastrophic situation in the downstream areas.
Conversely, Rajesh Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), has refuted the villagers’ allegations, stating that a designated dumping zone has been identified for the debris generated by the construction work, and the waste is being deposited at that specific location. He asserted that the department is carrying out the work in full compliance with environmental standards. However, the villagers maintain that merely demonstrating adherence to regulations on paper is insufficient; rather, on-the-ground monitoring and transparency are essential. Environmentalists, too, emphasise that debris management is of paramount importance during road construction in hilly regions, as even the slightest negligence can trigger a major ecological crisis. With the onset of the monsoon season drawing near, residents of the region have urged the administration to conduct regular monitoring of the construction activities and to take effective measures to safeguard the Rispana River basin from any potential environmental hazards.
