Nearly three years after residents began demanding a permanent retaining wall along the Bindal River, key localities in Dehradun remain exposed to severe monsoon flooding. Despite repeated inspections, legal petitions, and departmental assurances, the crucial flood-mitigation project remains stalled due to funding delays.

The issue, pending before the district court since 2022, centers around the absence of a concrete safety structure along the riverbanks. Advocate Shiva Verma, who has been actively pursuing the matter, said, “The irrigation department claimed it requires Rs 3 lakh for constructing the retaining wall, but lacks the necessary funds. Years have passed, yet there’s no permanent solution to problems affecting thousands of residents on a regular basis,” TOI reported.

A joint inspection by residents, irrigation department officials, and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation was conducted Friday at the Kanwali Road bridge. Area councilor Vishal Kumar flagged crumbling embankments and encroaching river water, noting that even electric poles on the riverbed are under threat. “The existing structure is of poor quality and heavy rains often wash away the embankments. Even electricity poles on the riverbed are eroding and are a threat to the public,” he said.

Locals say areas like Kanwali Road and Govindgarh are the worst hit during monsoons. According to Verma, sections of the current safety wall are damaged, and a garbage gate meant to block solid waste has failed. The riverbanks are choked. Unless debris is removed and weak points are reinforced, the problem will escalate, he said. Evidence from the inspection will be submitted in court on July 22.

Assistant engineer Avnish Bhatnagar confirmed that routine repairs are ongoing and said reported damages will be addressed on priority.

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