Latest news with #DehradunMunicipalCorporation
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
‘Rs 75L sanitation scam' in Pauri ahead of panchayat polls, probe ordered
Dehradun: After an RTI inquiry revealed discrepancies amounting to Rs 75 lakh in sanitation-related services across 15 development blocks in Pauri Garhwal, the district magistrate has launched a probe into the matter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Due to the severity of the allegations, DM Swati Bhadauria has called for a probe which is being led by the chief development officer. A report is expected by next week, and action will be taken against anyone involved accordingly," said district information officer Yogesh Pokhriyal. According to sources, a senior administrative officer currently under suspension had transferred funds, earmarked for sanitation work, to the bank account of a contractual sanitation worker's wife in 2023. The details came to light in June this year following the RTI filed by Karan Rawat, a resident of Pauri. The information revealed that the sanitation tender for 15 blocks under the district panchayat was routed through family members of the sanitation worker, and eventually, Rs 75 lakh was deposited in his wife's account under the pretext of cleaning work. It was also found that none of them had any requisite experience for a cleaning contract or any formal approval. The worker, however, denied any knowledge of the scam. Officials also said there have been allegations of tampering with official records, resulting in scrutiny of financial audit reports. Last year, a similar scam rattled the Dehradun Municipal Corporation causing a financial loss of over Rs 8 crore following payments to at least 99 'ghost workers' appointed through parshad committees. An FIR in this regard was registered in May this year.
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.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
DMC sets up command centre to integrate doorstep waste collection
Dehradun: To strengthen door-to-door garbage collection and streamline waste management in Uttarakhand's capital city, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) is setting up an integrated command and control centre (ICCC), based on the Indore model, to closely monitor the process and track garbage movement to processing plants. Officials said final logistics are being put in place and the ICCC will become operational this week. It will be managed by DMC and can eventually be used for dengue monitoring, fogging, as well as monitoring waterlogging and flooding during monsoon, officials said. "So far, the project monitoring companies have been separately tracking their own sections and movement of waste collection vehicles in their respective areas. Legacy sites and waste processing have also been monitored separately. With the ICCC, we hope to bring all of this under one roof and integrate door-to-door waste collection, transport to processing plants or even source segregation, which is going to be our next focus," said municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, adding that software support was outsourced and is the same as that of Indore. "This tech-based model will ensure real-time monitoring and no manipulation of data by any third party. Our vehicles are supposed to be on their way by 7am. And by 9am, we will know what routes are not being covered or where more manpower is required, and corrective steps can be taken to ensure the public is not inconvenienced," Bansal said. Notably, Dehradun produces upwards of 450 tonnes of garbage daily and has not performed well in Swachh Survekshan rankings in the past. Officials said these changes hope to rectify that and will also address the problem of erratic waste collection in the city. In certain areas such as Mohkampur, Dharampur, Doon Vihar and Kishanpur, garbage collection remains irregular. Third-party companies have also gone on frequent strikes, following which DMC took over the door-to-door waste collection in Feb this year. Since then, the corporation has increased the number of collection vehicles to over 250, with CUG numbers issued to drivers for better coordination with residents. Officials also claim that waste collection has risen to 80% from 46% earlier since the takeover, while the aim is 100% waste collection from households and all public places.
News18
07-07-2025
- News18
‘Rottweilers Bit Her Face, Legs, Ear, Arm, Bone Crushed': Dehradun Woman, 75, Battles For Life
Last Updated: "We have thoroughly cleaned and operated on her left arm, but the risk of infection remains high,' said Dr Yash Mohan, a senior orthopaedic specialist News18 Mauled by two Rottweilers in Dehradun early Sunday morning, Kaushalya Devi, 75, has undergone multiple surgeries. On Monday, doctors at Mahant Indresh Hospital performed another surgery to prevent infection in the victim's severely injured arm. Recalling the horrifying incident, the victim's son, Umang Nirwal, said, 'My mother was out for a morning walk when the two Rottweilers of the neighbour suddenly attacked her. They mauled her – biting her face and legs, chewing off part of her ear and ripping flesh from her arm, crushing the bone underneath." 'We have thoroughly cleaned and operated on her left arm, but the risk of infection remains high," said Dr. Yash Mohan, a senior orthopaedic specialist. He added that while surgery was also conducted on her ear, the extent of the damage may require plastic reconstruction. The owner of the dogs, identified as Md Zaid, is currently absconding with the canines. Dehradun SSP Ajay Singh told News18 that police have launched a manhunt since the owner with the dogs is on the run after a case was filed against him on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Rottweiler attack has raised questions about the presence of banned dog breeds in residential areas. In 2023, the Union government prohibited the ownership of 23 aggressive dog breeds, including Rottweilers, Pitbulls and Cane Corsos—to name a few. Interestingly, contrary to the government order, Dehradun Municipal Corporation has around 4,000 dogs registered in its records including banned breeds: Rottweilers (148), and Pitbulls (98). First Published: July 07, 2025, 19:29 IST
