To combat chronic urban waterlogging, the Dehradun district administration has procured 17 high-pressure de-watering pumps at a cost of approximately Rs 3 million. This initiative, influenced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s focus on civic issues, was ordered by District Magistrate Savin Bansal to address long-standing flooding in areas like ISBT and other vulnerable city zones.

The pumps were dispatched today from the District Emergency Operations Centre to relevant agencies in Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Doiwala. Bansal instructed officials to install them swiftly at critical intersections and locations prone to heavy water accumulation during the monsoon.

Of the 17 pumps, four have been assigned to the Rishikesh Municipal Corporation, two to Doiwala, and one to the Rishikesh Tehsil. Ten additional pumps and support equipment have been distributed among the Disaster Management Authority, Municipal Corporation, Jal Nigam, Jal Sansthan, Smart City teams, the Irrigation Department, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in Dehradun. This marks the first targeted deployment of portable de-watering equipment across the city’s most flood-affected areas.

According to the DM, prolonged monsoon periods often leave urban spaces submerged, disrupting daily life for schoolchildren, women, and commuters. Manpower shortages and logistical hurdles in civic agencies have hampered timely response in the past. The administration, invoking powers under the DM Act, undertook the procurement to ensure rapid drainage in flood-prone zones.

The CM’s emphasis on tackling urban floods has led to the formation of a dedicated QRT at the district level. These teams, equipped with the new pumps, will now carry out regular inspections and respond immediately to reports of waterlogging. Bansal affirmed that this improved capacity would significantly cut down response time and provide timely relief during the monsoon.

To further boost preparedness, manpower and machinery have also been positioned at key waterlogging spots, similar to practices used in landslide-prone areas. The Municipal Corporation has been divided into 12 zones, with three QRTs formed under direct orders from the District Magistrate. Nodal officers—City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, SDM Harigiri, and SDM Kumkum Joshi—have been tasked with ensuring swift action on any drainage obstruction.

The equipment launch was attended by senior officials including Additional District Magistrate (FR) KK Mishra, City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, District Disaster Management Officer Rishabh Kumar, and representatives from Jal Nigam, Jal Sansthan, and the Irrigation Department.