Situated between two rivers, including Dalel and another Sone (tones), in Siddhowala, Dehradun jail may face flood, if the two rivers alarmingly swell in future. In absence of strong security walls along the jail, rainwater may enter the jail.
Few metre stretch of the wall, which was washed away by the rains last year, is yet to be constructed. Even after repeated communiqué, it has failed to draw attention of the authorities who have to take action for construction of the boundary. Jail officials, who are aware about the bitter reality, prefer remaining tightlipped over the matter.
lack of fund stalled reconstruction of the wall for a year. Now, the department has started construction of the broken wall. Construction of the wall will solve the issue of safety from flood water very minutely. It will not provide safety from the flood like situation, according to the sources. If ever flood like situation takes place in future, the rain water would enter the jail premises, causing severe problem to the safety of around 1,000 inmates lodged there. Sources said that the jail administration has written to the senior officials, apprising them of the future threat of flood.
Pointing out the future threat, a local resident, who doesn’t wish to be named, said, “See, the jail is situated between two rivers. Riverbed has risen several times during past few years due to deposition of silt brought by rainwater during the rainy season.” He further added that in future, if ever, flood hit the area, flood water would enter the jail. It would create a lot of inconvenience to the jail officials to manage the whole affair. The top authorities should take a call on time or else dire consequences might be there.
Suggesting the way for security, he said that a strong safety wall each should be constructed on the patches of the rivers passes along the river. Height of the wall should be around 40 feet so that it could serve the purpose of safety from the future threat.
When contacted Superintendent BP Pandey said, “Construction of broken walls is in progress. Soon, it would be completed.” He, however, denied making comment on rest of the matter. Another official, pleading anonymity, said that there should be some measures and safety wall along the patches on river should be constructed as preventive measures. “It is better to take the measures in advance,” he remarked.