Preparations Underway to Give New Life to Rispana River; Joint Drive by District Administration and Municipal Corporation Gains Momentum
Administration Cracks Down on River Pollution; DM and Mayor Conduct Ground Inspection of Rispana Rejuvenation Work
Massive Pre-Monsoon Cleanup Drive in Full Swing; 12 Excavators and 15 Dumpers Deployed for River Restoration
Dehradun:
A large-scale campaign to restore and rejuvenate the Rispana River, considered one of Dehradun’s most important natural water bodies, is being carried out jointly by the District Administration and the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. With the monsoon season approaching, authorities have intensified efforts to clean, conserve, and revive the river.
As part of the initiative, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing cleanup and restoration work in the Rajiv Nagar area on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Municipal Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, and other senior officials from the Municipal Corporation and District Administration.
During the visit, officials reviewed the progress, quality, and effectiveness of the work being undertaken and issued necessary instructions to concerned departments to ensure timely completion of the project.
DM Reviews Progress on Ground, Stresses Quality and Timely Execution
District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan personally inspected the restoration efforts and emphasized that comprehensive cleaning of the Rispana River before the onset of the monsoon remains a top priority for the administration. He stated that a clean and obstruction-free river channel would help maintain smooth drainage during heavy rainfall, reduce the risk of urban flooding, and strengthen long-term river conservation efforts.
He described the Rispana as an important natural asset of Dehradun and stressed the need for coordinated action by all concerned departments to protect and restore the river ecosystem.
Special Cleanliness Drive Removes 17,000 Metric Tonnes of Waste
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation has been running a special cleanliness campaign across the city since March 2026. Under the initiative, nearly 17,000 metric tonnes of waste have been removed from various parts of the municipal area.
As part of the campaign, extensive cleaning work is being carried out along approximately 8 kilometers of the Bindal River and 12 kilometers of the Rispana River. Regular cleaning operations are also underway in various drains, streams, and water channels across the city to ensure uninterrupted water flow during the monsoon season.
12 Excavators and 15 Dumpers Deployed for River Cleanup
The restoration drive is being executed on a war footing with substantial resources deployed by the Municipal Corporation. A fleet of 12 JCB excavators and 15 dumpers is actively engaged in removing garbage, debris, silt, encroachments, and other obstructions from the riverbed to restore the river’s natural flow.
Comprehensive Action Plan Being Prepared Under Namami Gange
The District Magistrate informed that a detailed and long-term action plan for river conservation and cleanliness is being prepared in coordination with the Namami Gange Mission and the District Sanitation Committee.
As part of the strategy, authorities are identifying locations where garbage dumping has become a persistent problem. These sites will be prioritized for cleanup and monitoring. Simultaneously, steps are being planned to address the discharge of untreated wastewater and sewage drains into the river through appropriate treatment mechanisms and infrastructure improvements.
Long-Term, Phased Rejuvenation Plan for Rispana
Dr. Chauhan said that the administration is focusing not only on immediate cleanup measures but also on a sustainable and practical long-term strategy for the river’s revival. The rejuvenation plan will be implemented in phases to improve water quality, restore ecological balance, and ensure the long-term preservation of the river.
He expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts, adequate resources, and strong administrative commitment, the goal of restoring and rejuvenating the Rispana River can be successfully achieved.
The District Magistrate also appreciated the support and resources provided by the Municipal Corporation and directed all departments to further accelerate the campaign through better coordination and continuous monitoring.
Among those present during the inspection were Municipal Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, SNS Rajveer Singh, Tanveer Singh, and several officials from the Municipal Corporation and District Administration.
