Flash flood wakes up Dharamsala MC

Issues notices to encroachers on natural drains and riverbeds

Blurb — Encroachers told to demolish stuctures on drain

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 17

The Dharamsala Municipal Corporation has decided to act against encroachers on the natural drain after the flash flood at Bhagsunag on July 12.

Mayor Onkar Nehria, talking to The Tribune, said the flash flood was the result of the encroachment on the natural drain. People had constructed bridges and parking areas on the drain. These acted as blockades for water and it entered streets.

The Mayor said to prevent such incidents in future, notices had been issued to the encroachers. They had been asked to demolish the illegal structures on their own or else the corporation would act.

Commissioner of the Dharamsala MC Pradeep Thakur said initially the notices had been given to those who had encroached on the drain in Bhagsunag. As per the Municipal Corporation Act, all drains and rivers flowing through the city were either classified as municipal drains or natural watershed areas. The Act states that any encroachment on the natural water flow area of the drains and rivers is illegal.

The increase in the price of land in Dharamsala has resulted in the encroachment on riverbeds and natural drains. The authorities have also been complacent to new buildings and commercial complexes being brought up on the riverbeds. People have constructed bridges to connect their hotels and properties across streams.