Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
As the civic body elections approach, the spotlight has once again fallen on the US Nagar district headquarter, Rudrapur’s long-standing drainage issues. Residents of the Rudrapur Municipal Corporation (RMC) area have been grappling with water logging problems, with even light rainfall causing roads and colonies to flood. A lack of proper drainage systems has led to clogged drains, exacerbating the issue and causing unbearable stench, making life difficult for locals.
When Rudrapur was initially developed, it was envisioned to be modeled after Chandigarh, a city renowned for its planning and infrastructure. However, this dream has remained unfulfilled. Rudrapur, once a small town with a population of around five thousand, gained international recognition after the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000 due to its emergence as an industrial hub. The establishment of the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL) in Pantnagar and Sitarganj in 2002 brought a rapid increase in industries and, consequently, the population.
The city’s population surged, but its development failed to keep pace. Today, Rudrapur has expanded to include 40 wards, covering an area of 55.22 square kilometers. Most of these wards are comprised of unplanned illegal colonies. The Municipal Corporation oversees 93 drains, including 27 major drains, but the lack of maintenance and unplanned expansion has led to recurrent flooding during the monsoon season. In 2021, Rudrapur experienced its worst flooding, with 75% of the city submerged in water. Residents had to be evacuated, and main roads and homes were flooded, a situation that could have been avoided with a functional drainage system.
Municipal Commissioner Naresh Chand Durgapal said, “The city requires an effective drainage system, and a survey is currently being conducted by an organization. The project is estimated to cost Rs 140 crore, with Rs 80 lakh allocated for the survey. We expect the report to be submitted next month.”
Several residents have voiced their frustration over the lack of progress. Advocate Kanta Prasad, who has lived in Rudrapur for over 60 years, remarked, “The drainage system has not been fixed in decades. When a plan is made, it should be implemented within a year. Unfortunately, this rarely happens.”
The city’s two major highways, the Rampur-Kathgodam and Kashipur-Kichha highways, have also contributed to the drainage problems. Both highways were constructed at elevated levels, obstructing water flow and causing severe waterlogging in adjacent areas. The issue is most pronounced in major commercial and residential areas like Agrasen Chowk, Ambedkar Park, and DD Chowk, where even brief showers lead to significant flooding.
Business owners and residents are affected alike. Amit Jindal, General Secretary of the Rudrapur Rice Millers’ Association, said, “There are eight rice mills in the area, and waterlogging has become a major problem. After even a little rain, water accumulates, leading to damage of goods and disruption of business.”
Similarly, Dr Vikas Sachan, a resident of Awas Vikas, expressed concerns over the health risks associated with stagnant water, saying, “Accumulated water in empty plots poses a risk of infectious diseases. Traffic and daily life are also severely affected.”
Despite repeated promises during both assembly and civic elections, the drainage issue remains unsolved. Residents like Kashish Sharma, a graduate student at SBS College, lamented, “The city was supposed to be developed like Chandigarh, but political pressure has stalled all efforts. Rudrapur continues to drown with each rainfall.”
The upcoming civic elections have once again brought this critical issue to the forefront, with residents hoping that this time, their voices will be heard, and the city’s drainage problems will finally be addressed.
