Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat presented work orders to various firms and distributed smart cards at a function held to mark Smart Cities Mission foundation day. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that to decrease the rising population pressure, the vision of a new Dehradun will be achieved. Attempts will be made to develop a 4,000 hectare land bank for this purpose. Stating that smart city can’t be imagined without smart citizens, he said that the involvement of public is essential to make Dehradun a smart city.
As a smart city, Dehradun will soon be ready in a new form, he said. By the end of 2020, CNG will be available in Dehradun. After the monsoon, work will start on the Saung dam project. This project will facilitate gravity based water supply to Dehradun and result in saving electricity costing Rs 92 crore. Attempts are also being undertaken to revive the Rispana river into Rishiparna, he said. All works as part of Dehradun smart city project will be executed at the earliest, stressed Rawat.
Urban Development minister Madan Kaushik said that efforts for making Dehradun a smart city will soon be visible on the ground. Improving the drainage and sewer system along with removal of encroachments have been among the challenges faced so far.
Dehradun Smart City Limited CEO Ashish Srivastav informed that work orders have been issued for projects amounting to Rs 484.76 crore so far. Mayor Sunil Uniyal, MLAs Vinod Chamoli, Ganesh Joshi, Harbans Kapoor, Umesh Sharma and others were also present on the occasion.