Rivers of Dehradun:-Rispana & Bindal as Living Heritage

Dehradun was once known as a “City of Streams”. To erase these rivers is to erase part of our identity.

The proposed Rispana–Bindal Elevated Corridor threatens to do exactly that.

Construction will mean years of dust and disruption, but worse, it will permanently seal floodplains and groundwater recharge zones. At best, a small fraction of commuters may benefit, while the ecological, financial and cultural loss will affect all citizens.

The Doon Valley, cradled between the Shivaliks and the Himalaya, has always been defined by its rivers. Among them, the Rispana and Bindal flow through the very heart of Dehradun, carrying not just water but also memory, culture, and life. Once celebrated as lifelines, today they are at risk of being buried under concrete in the name of development. As a resident and an architect living here, I believe it is time we pause and reflect: what will Dehradun be without its rivers?

More than Just Water:

These rivers are more than waterways—they are part of Dehradun’s identity!

The Rispana and Bindal originate in the foothills and aquifers of the Shivaliks, eventually merging with the Song River, a tributary of the Ganga. Their sandy, stony beds act like sponges, recharging the groundwater that sustains wells and homes across the valley. Even when the surface appears dry, the riverbed carries hidden reserves that keep ecosystems alive. Their floodplains have, for centuries, protected the city from the worst of the monsoon.

Our Shared Heritage:

These rivers are not just natural features—they are part of our culture and urban identity. Older residents recall bathing, farming, and celebrating festivals on their banks. Colonial-era maps show canals linked to them, carrying fresh water across neighbourhoods. Rispana and Bindal are living systems not drains.Dehradun was once described as a “city of streams,” where orchards, schools, and settlements thrived alongside clean waters. 

Why We Must Be Concerned:.  

This road project will flood parts of Dehradun faster than ever before—because it's choking two rivers.You think traffic will improve? It won’t. But pollution and heat will definitely get worse. But the bigger danger lies beneath! The proposed Rispana–Bindal Elevated Corridor threatens to seal floodplains and aquifer recharge zones.

Globally, cities have chosen revival over destruction. Seoul restored the Cheonggyecheon stream, London revived the Thames’s urban edges, and Ahmedabad revitalized the Sabarmati riverfront. Each became healthier and more vibrant because of it. Why should Dehradun choose the opposite path?

A Choice for Dehradun:

We can either treat Rispana and Bindal as drains to be built over, or as Natural and Cultural Heritage Corridors—spaces to be protected, restored, and celebrated. By treating sewage before discharge, reviving riverbanks with green public spaces, and protecting floodplains, we can transform them into living assets once more.

A Call to Residents:

A city that buries its rivers buries its own soul. As residents of Dehradun, we must come forward, speak up, and remind our planners and leaders that mobility projects cannot come at the cost of our living heritage. The rivers have sustained us for centuries. It is now our responsibility to sustain them.

PARAMJIGYASU