Dehradun | November 28, 2025
Tension filled the narrow lanes of Kathbangla colony on Friday afternoon as families gathered outside their homes, clutching freshly delivered 15-day eviction notices issued by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA). What began as an ordinary day quickly turned into one of fear and confusion as 116 households were ordered to vacate the area by mid-December.
The settlement, located along the Rispana riverbed, has existed for decades. For many, it is the only home they have ever known.
As word of the eviction spread, small crowds formed near the community temple and tea stalls. Mothers sat outside their homes with children in their laps, while elderly residents tried to make sense of the printed notice.
Meena Devi, a 42-year-old resident who has lived in the colony for 23 years, said with tears in her eyes: “We raised our children here. We pay electricity bills, we vote here, we’ve lived honest lives. Now suddenly they say we are illegal. Where do we take our children in 15 days?”
Nearby a man says, a daily-wage labourer, held his notice tightly as he spoke: “The government says we will get flats. But those flats have cracks, no water, no safety. Why should we leave a home we built with our hands for something that might collapse next year?”
Many residents claim the new rehabilitation flats offered to them are structurally weak, too small for large families, and located in areas equally vulnerable to flooding.
There are lots of Anxiety and Uncertainty in the Local Atmosphere. By evening, the mood in the colony had shifted from shock to rising frustration. Women gathered in small groups discussing the possibility of protests. Young men walked door-to-door to check which families received notices and who qualified for relocation.
Some residents packed their important documents — ration cards, Aadhaar cards, electricity bill receipts hoping they would strengthen their claim for rehabilitation housing.
Children, largely unaware of the gravity of the situation, played in the alleys as their parents worried quietly.
Officials says that “This is a floodplain; removal is mandatory.” Also An MDDA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The area falls inside the Rispana floodplain. Constructions here violate environmental and safety norms. Eviction is part of the ongoing river-restoration project. Eligible families will be shifted to government flats.”
When asked about the residents’ concerns regarding unsafe flats, he replied:
“Minor issues in the buildings are being addressed. Water supply and electricity connections are in progress. Families will not be left without a shelter.”
However, many families argue they have not received any written assurance confirming the safety and habitability of the allotted flats.
Community Leaders Demand Transparency as Local social workers and ward representatives visited the colony throughout the day. Rahul Rawat, a community volunteer who has long worked with Kathbangla residents, said:
“We are not against the river project. But rehabilitation must be humane. Families can’t be forced into unsafe buildings. MDDA must provide a clear list of eligibility, amenities, and safety measures.”
He added that several families who have lived in Kathbangla for over 30 years are now afraid they may be marked “ineligible” for relocation due to technicalities.
Next, With the 15-day deadline now ticking, the situation remains uncertain. Residents have indicated that if their concerns are not addressed, they plan to organise peaceful protests, including a sit-in outside the MDDA office.
Meanwhile, many continue to hold on to hope:
- Hope that the government will review rehabilitation conditions.
- Hope that no family will be left homeless.
- Hope that decades of belonging to a neighbourhood will not be erased in a few days.
As Kathbangla prepares for what may be one of its most challenging weeks, the future of 116 families hangs in the balance between official deadlines and a community fighting to protect the only homes they have ever known.
