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Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
21k killed in 34k road accidents in U'khand since 2000; 25% in Doon, highest fatalities in US Nagar
1 2 Dehradun: Since its formation in 2000, Uttarakhand has recorded 34,014 road accidents, according to data obtained by TOI through an RTI query filed by Dehradun-based social activist Anoop Nautiyal. Dehradun accounts for nearly 25% of these mishaps, with 8,314 incidents, while Udham Singh Nagar has reported the highest fatalities, followed by Haridwar. In 2023, Dehradun registered around 28% of all road accidents in the state (481 out of 1,691), a share that rose to 29% in 2024 (511 out of 1,747). The capital also leads in accident-related injuries. In 2024, 431 people were injured in Dehradun, representing 28% of the state's total (1,547). The figures for 2023 and 2022 stood at 27% and 23%, respectively. "There is a flurry of action from authorities only after events of casualties. Road engineering should be an integral element of a city, but that is severely lacking in Dehradun. In 2024, nearly 30% of the state's 1,747 accidents occurred in Dehradun alone — almost five every day. These rash driving accidents should not be seen in isolation. While many are caused by human error, others stem from lack of red lights, potholes, or poor road engineering. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I thought my dad was 'boring'. Now, I'm learning that boring stuff is often what matters most CNA Read More Undo Hardly ever is the action-taken report made public," said Nautiyal. The recent death of a woman on a two-wheeler after being hit by a speeding bus near ISBT has once again highlighted the menace of rash driving. Residents blame increasing vehicle numbers on the road, limited infrastructure and lack of enforcement for the growing chaos. "For us, getting onto the main Rajpur road is a struggle. Drivers refuse to slow down or give way. Over-tourism has worsened the problem, with infrastructure lagging behind vehicle growth. Everyone is in a rush," said Bharti Jain, an architect from the Rajpur area. Residents also said that social media trends have contributed to the spike in speeding and rash driving. According to data shared by the Dehradun traffic police, 1,867 challans were issued for rash driving in 2023, 1,564 in 2024, and 1,460 till June this year. SP (Traffic) Lokjeet Singh said enforcement is a priority. "We have formed a dedicated team patrolling the city in civil dress. In July alone, we identified 21 offenders and will soon issue challans. We will continue such exercises to ensure safe driving in the city," he said. However, the increasing numbers in recent years present a worrisome trend when it comes to road safety in the capital. Out of 21,625 road deaths since 2001, almost 25% (5,334) have occurred in Udham Singh Nagar, followed by Haridwar (4,783). The fatality number for the capital remains slightly lower at 3,766. Sushil Gava, a social activist, told TOI that the reasons for these fatalities are alarming — blatant flouting of traffic rules, overspeeding, drunk driving, and overloading are rampant, especially among commercial vehicles. "Most accidents occur on isolated highways or rural stretches where there's no CCTV surveillance, and poor lighting, delaying critical first aid. The absence of trauma centres, ill-equipped ambulances, and lack of trained emergency responders further exacerbates the situation. Pothole-ridden roads, encroachments, and unregulated auto and e-rickshaw movement in urban pockets only add to the chaos. Without systemic reforms and accountability, this crisis will only deepen," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Chopper crash toll highest in U'khand, 21 dead in 5 yrs
Dehradun: Uttarakhand has emerged as India's most helicopter accident-prone state, accounting for seven of the 12 major chopper crashes reported nationwide over the past five years, according to data shared in Rajya Sabha by Union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol. Of the 30 deaths in these incidents across India, 21 died in Uttarakhand alone. Maharashtra recorded four crashes with seven deaths, while Chhattisgarh saw one crash resulting in two casualties. The alarming figures have renewed concerns over aviation safety in the hill state, especially during the annual Char Dham yatra. One of the deadliest crashes occurred in Oct 2022, when a helicopter ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed on a hill, killing all seven onboard. This year, two fatal crashes on May 8 in Uttarkashi and on June 15 near Kedarnath have already claimed 13 lives. These incidents were among five helicopter mishaps reported on the yatra route in just 45 days. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stepped up safety audits and surveillance of helicopter operations in high-risk and pilgrimage zones. Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (Ucada) has also announced plans to set up an Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Sahastradhara heliport -- a move that has been repeatedly recommended by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Experts say the latest data highlights the need for urgent reforms. "With scant regard to carrying capacity, basic safety protocols and a blind pursuit of record footfall during the Char Dham yatra, the system often bends to accommodate more than it can safely handle. It's a recipe for disaster," said Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation. A senior aviator familiar with flying conditions in Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain, who wished to remain anonymous, said a dedicated control centre should have been established at Kedarnath long ago, considering the volume of helicopter traffic to the shrine, which often exceeds 200 sorties a day. "Everyone in the aviation circuit knows that Kedar valley is India's most challenging air corridor, yet it lacks even basic safety infrastructure," he said. Aviation experts have long urged stricter regulations, better weather forecasting, high-altitude pilot training and cap on operations during adverse conditions. With pilgrim numbers rising each year, they warn that without systemic change, Uttarakhand's skies will continue to bear a deadly burden.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Doon's marginal rise in cleanliness rankings fails to impress residents, activists
1 2 3 Dehradun: Dehradun's modest climb in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings -- from 68th to 62nd -- has been welcomed by civic authorities, but residents and environmentalists remain unconvinced, arguing that the numbers fail to reflect the city's on-ground realities. This year, the city scored 7,614 out of 12,500 points, placing it 62nd among 95 cities in the 3-10 lakh population category. However, social activist Anoop Nautiyal said that despite the higher marks, the overall score proportion has actually declined. "In 2023, Dehradun secured 6,579 out of 9,500 marks -- roughly 69% -- and was ranked 68th out of 446 cities in the 1-10 lakh population category. This year, it's about 61%. While the marking scheme has changed, the proportion tells a different story. There's immense scope for improvement, but that needs an honest and objective assessment of our current situation. Cleanliness must be prioritised across cities, villages, rivers, forests and hills alike," said Nautiyal. Environmentalists echoed similar concerns. "Dehradun has all the prerequisites to be among the top 10 -- limited landscape, technology and a relatively educated population. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo Yet, we continue to fall short," said eco-activist Ashish Garg. He added, "Cosmetic changes aren't enough. Several areas still lack door-to-door waste collection, and garbage-vulnerable points remain eyesores despite official claims. Setting up decentralised waste processing units could improve collection efficiency and reduce the burden on the municipal corporation." Garg also emphasised the need for stricter enforcement and penalties. "Dehradun can't be called clean until it looks clean. We're far from that goal," he said. Experts also flagged Dehradun's continuing challenges with waste segregation at the source. "The successful Harrawala segregation model has yet to be scaled to other wards. Source segregation is key to effective waste management. The Nagar Nigam must focus on awareness campaigns and enforcement across households and businesses," said environmentalist Naveen Kumar Sadana. Sadana also advocated for decentralised dry waste collection centres and mobile drop-off vehicles, while urging better management of hazardous waste, which he said remains largely ignored. Civic authorities attributed some of the shortcomings to timing. This year's Swachh Survekshan inspections took place in Feb, during a sanitation workers' strike. The delay in forming a new municipal board also affected performance. Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal said, "Door-to-door collection has significantly improved since the Dehradun Municipal Corporation took over. Source segregation is now a major priority, and we're bringing in new policies to implement it across the city. We will begin with a few wards and scale up. Our target is to break into the top 50, and we're confident we'll achieve it."
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Swachh Survekshan: Landour slips amid tourist surge, Nainital still dirtiest cantonment in state
Dehradun/Nainital/Mussoorie: The Swachh Survekshan 2024 results have raised serious concerns for Uttarakhand, with cleanliness levels falling across nearly all major cities and towns. But the situation is far worse in the Landour and Nainital cantonments, both popular tourist destinations. Of the state's nine cantonments, all but Landour improved in this year's rankings. Experts attribute the decline to a direct link between rising tourist footfall and poor waste management. "Landour is being overwhelmed by the tourist influx. The board needs structural changes in waste handling. This is a sobering reminder of the need to define carrying capacity. While community involvement is important, the onus lies on leadership," said Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Dehradun-based SDC Foundation. While neighbouring Mussoorie has shown marked improvement, Landour slid from 30th place in 2023 to 50th this year. Residents blame a surge in cafes, homestays, and unmanaged tourism for the cantonment's deteriorating state. Overflowing bins, garbage dumped down slopes, and vanishing green stretches have become routine sights. "The solid waste management has worsened ever since an outside agency was hired. Their supervisors are missing, and public grievances are going unheard," said Badal Prakash, former vice-president of the board. Another resident added, "Tourists dump garbage anywhere they like. The absence of responsible tourism and the unregulated rise of cafes and homestays have ruined Landour." Swachh Survekshan data shows a drop in door-to-door waste collection in Landour—from 99% to 75%—and a sharp fall in source segregation from 88% to just 2%. Cleanliness of water bodies has dropped to zero from 50% in the previous edition. Nainital Cantonment, meanwhile, remains among India's dirtiest cantonments despite a minor jump in rank—from 61st to 52nd out of 58. The board continues to languish in the bottom tier, showing little progress despite nationwide efforts. It also features among Uttarakhand's worst-performing urban bodies, alongside Ghansali, Padli Gujjar, Rampur, and Piran Kaliyar. While Nainital Cantonment improved door-to-door waste collection from 20% to 74%, source segregation dropped from 18% to 8%. Waste processing remains at zero. Most alarming is the complete collapse in toilet cleanliness (from 75% to 0), marketplace cleanliness (20% to 0), and cleanliness of water bodies (5% to 0). Local resident Rajiv Lochan Sah blamed poor enforcement, civic apathy, and lack of awareness. Tourist pressure during peak seasons, coupled with the challenges of hilly terrain, have made infrastructure development difficult. Unlike proactive areas like Rudrapur and Lalkuan, Nainital Cantonment has seen no major clean-up drives or investments till mid-2025. Statewide data shows mixed results: door-to-door waste collection fell from 69.7% to 56.6%, while source segregation improved from 17% to 49%, and waste processing rose from 26.5% to 40.5%. Experts have suggested a range of urgent interventions: localised waste treatment units, compost pits, and small material recovery facilities; strict littering fines and better surveillance; citizen outreach; regulated tourism and vending zones; ecological zoning; and a dedicated cantonment waste management task force under the state's proposed Waste Management Commission.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Swachh Survekshan 2024: State secures just 1 award, It was 2 last year
Dehradun: The Swachh Survekshan 2024 results were announced in Delhi on Thursday, revealing mixed outcomes for Uttarakhand. While Dehradun improved slightly in national rankings—from 68th to 62nd in the big city category—the state secured only one award compared to two last year. Dehradun, once the cleanest city in Uttarakhand, slipped to 13th position statewide. Its door-to-door waste collection dropped drastically from 96.5% to 48%, and waste processing fell from 78.5% to 27%. Dr Avinash Khanna, chief health officer, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), acknowledged the need for urgent improvements in waste collection, source segregation, waste processing and garbage hotspot management. In contrast, Lalkuan in Nainital district earned the state-level "Promising Clean City" award for the first time, signalling rapid progress among smaller towns. Officials highlighted that Swachh Survekshan's inclusive approach allows smaller municipalities to gain recognition and motivates further sanitation investment. Among cantonment boards, most showed slight ranking improvements except Landour, which slipped from 30th to 50th, underscoring growing waste issues in the tourist town. Nainital improved from 61st to 52nd. Statewide data revealed a decline in average door-to-door waste collection to 56.6% from 69.7%, though source segregation rose sharply from 17% to 49%, and waste processing increased from 26.5% to 40.5%. Anoop Nautiyal, founder of NGO Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, criticised state's stagnant performance after a decade of Swachh Bharat Mission, calling it "a result of systemic apathy and lack of political priority." He advocated a dedicated waste management commission (WMC) to oversee complex multi-stream waste challenges intensified by the state's heavy pilgrim and tourist influx. Rudrapur emerged as a standout performer, jumping from 417th to 68th nationally and ranking first among Uttarakhand's municipal corporations. Mayor Vikas Sharma credited teamwork, awareness campaigns and improved waste management for the progress. He said that initiatives like door-to-door garbage collection, awareness drives, technological upgrades, solid waste management and continuous monitoring played a crucial role in improving rankings. Municipal commissioner Naresh Durgapal said, "This success comes from teamwork, strategy, and public involvement. Previous accolades aside, this national recognition shows we're on the right path." Haridwar and Rishikesh showed declines. Haridwar's rank dropped from 4th to 18th among Ganga towns, with door-to-door collection falling from 93% to 70%, and source segregation from 30% to 7%. B D Joshi, an environmentalist, blamed municipal indifference and overwhelming tourist-generated waste. Municipal commissioner of Rishikesh, Gopal Ram Binwal, said, "Our performance declined in door-to-door waste collection and source segregation due to ongoing construction of our waste disposal plant. We're analysing the results and will take corrective steps." Bageshwar improved to 1,007th nationally from 3,961st, but residents remain dissatisfied, citing persistent litter and sanitation issues. Environmental activist Kishan Singh Malra said, "We cannot rely solely on the municipal body. People need to become more aware and proactive in keeping their surroundings clean." Municipal executive officer Mohammad Yameen acknowledged both challenges and progress made. "Our goal now is to reach the top 100." Overall, Lalkuan, Rudrapur, Mussoorie, Doiwala and Pithoragarh were the cleanest cities, while Ghansali, Padli Gujjar, Rampur, Piran Kaliyar and Nainital Cantonment were the dirtiest. Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 awards recognised top cities across five population segments, from over 10 lakh to under 20,000 residents. Graded out of 12,500 marks, the survey involved 14 crore citizens. This year, 78 awards were given across four categories. Starting with 73 ULBs in 2016, the survey now covers over 4,500 cities, focusing on the theme "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", using 10 parameters and 54 indicators.
