The Canal on General Mahadev Singh Road

The Canal on General Mahadev Singh Road:-

My remembrance of the Canal dates back to the year 1989, when we relocated to Dehradun. The Canal was the most prominent and conspicuous entity on General Mahadev Singh Road. 
The small stretch that I remember started from Garghi Cantt ran through Kaulagargh Road to Ballupur Chowk then to Balliwala Chowk on to Kanwali Road till the rice fields of Majra. A strech of atleast 10 km if not more.

Like a flowery tree which blossoms in the monsoon the Canal was flooded with water in the rainy season, so much so that it reached the road level. Although it was 4-5 feet deep, the water dried up in the summers to become just a succulent stream of water. But I have never seen it completely dry even in the driest of summers. Water always gushed through its pebbly shores.

I remember there was a watermill that was run by the force of the gushing waters in the Canal. People used to gather at the mill for their daily dose of gossip and to grind wheat, rice, bajara etc...
The Canal like a guardian brought the people closer and formed a bond among them. People would gather at its shores to sit down, may be dip their feet in the Canal's cool water and relieve their stresses. 
People also gathered at the Canal to perform various religious rights. I remember the Canal was flooded with people during the Chhath Pooja.

I always enjoyed the sound of the gushing water in the Canal. It was so very relaxing and refreshing. It kind of soothed the mind and soul. Sometimes I would dip my legs knee deep into the Canal water and just enjoy the ambiance.
Whenever I was tensed, stressed or frustrated I came to the Canal and it's water eased me and relieved the anguish and pain like a mother or an elderly grandparent who would run their fingers over your face and clam you down.

The Canal is now completely covered and a road has been built over it. Driving along General Mahadev Singh Road I did not find even the traces of the Canal. Someone who was born after the Canal was covered would never ever imagine that there used to be a "Living" Canal running on the same place where now you see vehicles plying.
I am not sure what was the reason to cover the Canal, perhaps it was also engulfed by the ever increasing inhabitants and their needs. The population around General Mahadev Singh Road or in Dehradun for that matter has increased many folds. This population has eaten up a lot of vanities of the past.

I don't know if water still flows under the road or it has been choked up by silt or even worse the Canal has been completely filled with mud and concrete. It is evident that Canal on General Mahadev Singh Road has met its fate similar to what happened to the Canal on EC Road.

Not getting the glimpse of the chirping Canal and not hearing its gushing waters grieves me and brings a lot of pain. I feel like I have lost a friend of my childhood and youth. It's seems I have lost a buddy and a well wisher. It seems that now "The Canal on General Mahadev Singh Road" rests in peace...