Monsoon exacerbates drainage woes in Smart City Dharamsala

Dharamsala, once celebrated for its natural beauty and now part of the Smart City initiative, is facing a growing civic crisis as monsoon rains expose serious flaws in its drainage infrastructure. The newly-constructed narrow drains, built to replace the old open channels, have failed to withstand heavy rainfall typical to the region.

Historically, open drains along key routes such as the ‘smart road’ stretching from the School Board to the Bus Stand not only managed rainwater but were also used for irrigation. The new covered drains, often cramped due to the added burden of electricity cables, are proving inadequate. In many parts of the city, rainwater now flows freely over the roads, largely due to incorrect sloping.

Waste clogging the drains remains unaddressed, as routine maintenance is neglected. Earlier, PWD daily wagers were regularly spotted making adequate arrangements during and ahead of the monsoon. They are nowhere to be seen. In localities such as Churan and Barol, rainwater has been seen gushing uncontrollably in the absence of a proper outlet. The problem also extends from Sudher to McLeodganj, with geologists warning that continued waterlogging and seepage could destabilise the fragile hillside which has already started to sink.

Adding to the chaos are leaking sewers and overflowing manholes, proving not only an eyesore but also a health hazard. Despite over ?500 crore already being spent under the Smart City project, Dharamsala still lacks basic drainage capable of withstanding the monsoon’s fury.