Latest news with #AnoopNautiyal
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon mayhem in U'khand: 65 dead in rain-related incidents in June, double last year's toll
Dehradun: At least 65 people died in June, the first month of this year's monsoon season in Uttarakhand, double the 32 deaths recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the state emergency operation centre. Of the 65 deaths, 45 were due to road accidents and 20 to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods. Another 18 people are missing -- nine each due to road mishaps and natural calamities. Among the worst incidents was Thursday's accident in Rudraprayag, where a bus carrying Char Dham pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda river after colliding with a speeding truck, killing five. Seven passengers are still missing with officials saying their chances of survival are slim. On Sunday, a cloudburst in Badkot area of Uttarkashi triggered a landslide that hit a labour camp, killing two construction workers. Seven others are still missing even as heavy rain continues in several parts of the state. The regional meteorological centre has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts for Monday. Experts say monsoon arrived slightly early this year and began with intense rainfall, triggering widespread landslides and slope failures. They also flagged ongoing road-widening works in the hills, which have destabilised slopes by leaving loose debris at mid-elevations. "Given the volume and intensity of the early monsoon rain, it was inevitable that this debris would come down," said Piyoosh Rautela, former executive director of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also reported similar slope failures. Geologists warn that the natural angle of repose – the steepest angle at which loose material can remain stable – has been disrupted, significantly increasing the risk of landslides and road collapses. Reacting to the 100% rise in fatalities from road accidents and natural disasters, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "This rise in fatalities coincides with a 29% increase in Char Dham pilgrims, with 18.2 lakh visiting the shrines between June 1 and 28, up from 14.1 lakh last year," he said. Nautiyal stressed the need for a systemic response. "The state govt must stop treating each disaster in isolation. With the monsoon intensifying in July and Aug, what's needed is action, not just condolences and announcements," he said.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Doon activists oppose Rispana-Bindal road project
Dehradun: Various social, women's and environmental organisations in Dehradun announced a public campaign on Sunday to demand pro-people development projects for the city while opposing the proposed Rispana-Bindal elevated road corridor. According to activists, such projects disproportionately affect marginalised communities and harm the environment. "Safeguarding the environment, providing relief from traffic congestion and protecting the interests of daily wage earners must be the priorities. We will intensify public agitation in the coming weeks. This project threatens both the environment and the community, and it will not alleviate traffic congestion as claimed," said Dr Ravi Chopra from the Uttarakhand Insaniyat Manch. Other activists questioned the economic rationale behind the initiative. "If the govt can spend Rs 6,200 crore in Dehradun, the public can certainly help define a target for people-centric development that truly addresses the city's core issues," said social activist Anoop Nautiyal. The proposed 26 km project, activists said, may benefit private companies and govt officers, but it threatens the settlements and housing rights of labourers. To raise awareness, activists announced plans for signature campaigns, public meetings and citywide protests in the coming weeks.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rispana-Bindal road projects: Concerns grow over environmental impact, lack of rehab plan
Dehradun: Concerns over the Rs 6,500 crore Rispana-Bindal elevated road project, which is touted as a 'solution to Doon's traffic woes' have intensified with several stakeholders, including residents, activists, and thousands of slum dwellers who may be displaced, expressing apprehension regarding the proposed 26-km elevated corridor, planned over the Rispana and Bindal riverbeds, aims to ease city traffic and offer a quicker route to Mussoorie. But activists claim it may cause irreversible ecological damage and permanently alter Dehradun's skyline. On Tuesday, the Dehradun Citizens Forum hosted a Town Hall Meet on the project at The Doon Library & Research Centre. The session featured a presentation by PWD engineer Jitendra Tripathi and consultancy firm Spectrum. Attended by over 100 professionals from diverse fields, the event saw strong calls for the immediate public release of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and an inclusive cost-benefit analysis. Participants also urged that river rejuvenation efforts proceed independently of the corridor project. Officials said detailed project reports (DPRs) have been prepared and submitted to the state govt for approval. The criticism about the project centres on two fronts -- environmentalists fear the project will severely impact the Doon valley's ecology, while social activists warn of the large-scale displacement of residents once construction begins. The project also contradicts previous claims by the state govt to rejuvenate the rivers. Activists fear that such a large-scale infrastructure undertaking will leave no scope for restoration and could mark the end of these rivers. They are demanding transparency, environmental safeguards, and clear rehabilitation policies before work starts on the elevated road network. "There is both curiosity and concern among residents across Dehradun about the elevated roads being built over the fragile riverbeds of Rispana and Bindal," said social activist Anoop Nautiyal. "With pillars up to 15 metres high, this corridor risks permanently changing the city's ecological fabric. We're demanding that the Environmental Impact Assessment report be made public so that citizens can engage meaningfully and assess the true costs." Activists also called for public involvement in planning major infrastructure projects, especially those that claim to serve public interest. "There is often a stark contrast between govt claims and ground realities," said Manoj Dewaria, a resident of Kanwali Road. "They say it's to ease traffic, but what about the thousands of families whose future now hangs in the balance? There's been no talk of compensation or rehabilitation. What kind of public policy is this?" With project details still unclear, activists have filed several RTIs, but responses have been vague. One such reply from the PWD, accessed by TOI, stated: "In light of increasing traffic pressure in Dehradun and unavailability of space for road widening, the construction of the Rispana-Bindal elevated corridor is proposed. This will provide relief from traffic congestion in Dehradun. The project is under process and until its completion, specific details cannot be provided. "
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Doon residents upset over lack of transparency in beautification projects
Dehradun: For over a month, beautification work has been underway at four major landmarks in Dehradun. However, many residents have expressed dissatisfaction at being excluded from the planning process once again. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) is executing landscaping and beautification efforts at Dilaram Chowk, Clock Tower, Sai Mandir Chowk, and Kuthal Gate, in addition to drainage upgrades at ISBT. According to officials, the projects, estimated to cost Rs 10 crore, aim to transform available spaces with modular designs that not only enhance cleanliness but also attract tourists. Sources told TOI that these projects were assigned to DSCL to utilise leftover funds after the dissolution of Smart Cities Mission by March 31 this year. "Extensive beautification was already carried out just a year and a half ago for the Global Investors' Summit, costing taxpayers lakhs. Now we're starting from scratch again instead of maintaining existing work. This is a blatant misuse of resources," said social activist Anoop Nautiyal. He also criticised the lack of public engagement. "Citizen involvement was completely absent from the process. If plans were shared publicly, feedback and suggestions could be included. Lakhs were spent to build Brahmakamal Chowk, only to dismantle it later. The Clock Tower has undergone multiple redesigns in recent years. This culture of working in silos is disappointing, and authorities must change their mindset," Nautiyal added. Administrative officials, however, claim that the revamped landmarks will reflect local 'pahadi' aesthetics and will help streamline traffic with new slip roads and signals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Most of the work will be done by the end of June," said DSCL ACEO Tirath Pal. The only major active Smart City project remaining in Dehradun after this is the Rs 206 crore Green Building initiative. Meanwhile, civic bodies also voiced concerns, particularly as the Clock Tower area falls under the jurisdiction of Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). "Multiple agencies working independently often lead to coordination and maintenance issues, as we've seen with previous projects," said a senior DMC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Char Dham pilgrim footfall drops from 8 lakh to 5.5 lakh in first 12 days
Dehradun: Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, which triggered four days of hostilities between India and Pakistan tensions along the border, and inclement weather conditions have led to a significant drop in the number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dham shrines in the first 12 days of the 2025 yatra. While around 8 lakh devotees visited the four Himalayan shrines during the same period in 2024, the number has fallen to 5.5 lakh this Badrinath and Gangotri — both accessible by road — have seen a steeper decline in footfall. On May 11, Badrinath recorded 13,971 devotees, well below the usual numbers for this time of a shift from past trends, Yamunotri has seen higher turnout than Gangotri. Till May 11, Yamunotri had received 1.12 lakh pilgrims, compared to 94,251 at Gangotri. On May 11 alone, Yamunotri drew 10,773 devotees, while Gangotri saw 9, Kedarnath, the drop has been particularly stark. On the 10th day of the yatra in 2024, over 34,892 pilgrims had offered prayers, while this year the number stood at 20, activist and environmentalist Anoop Nautiyal attributed the decline to a combination of weather-related disruptions and border-related tensions. "A drop of over 2.5 lakh is significant. I expect the numbers to pick up in the latter half of May," he said. He added, "Rather than chasing numbers, the government should focus on environmental sustainability and managing overcrowding, especially in areas located above 3,000 metres."Nautiyal also called for setting and enforcing capacity limits for each of the Char Dham shrines to ensure safer and more sustainable pilgrimages.
