While the Centre striking off Dehradun from the first list of 20 cities to be developed as smart cities has evoked mixed reactions among the people of the capital city, the Chief Minister Harish Rawat sounded extremely guarded in his reaction on Friday. “I am not a person to see red in what has happened. I believe that the deletion of Dehradun from the list has nothing to do with politics. However, I hope that in the coming days Dehradun will be included in the smart city list,” he said. He further said that as green field based proposal needs long gestation period the Centre might not have included Dehradun in the first list of the selected smart cities. “However, I am hopeful that things would look up in future,” he said.
Notably, several people and social welfare groups spearheaded relentless agitation against the State government for having decided to acquire a tea estate whose inception dates back to over hundred years for housing the smart city project. The workers of the tea plantation were also up in arms against the State government’s move. Many eminent persons also pitched in, opposing the move, dubbing it as a move to rob the city of its heritage.
CM said that several people keep raising questions over why Dehradun’s green field based proposal was sent for the smart city project. “They further ask as to why the State Government had not adopted retrofitting or redevelopment based proposal. In retrofitting, drinking water supply and sewerage mainly figure. But we have already made huge investment on these matters. Besides, several works are in progress now. As per redevelopment, the city would have been reconstructed. Such things are not feasible as far as Dehradun is concerned,” he said.
He expressed hope that Dehradun would figure in the upcoming list of the smart cities. “If they would select Dehradun we would do everything to maintain green cover over the earmarked place. We have already firmed up a plan on how to improve the water level,” he said.
He reiterated that his government would go for 50 percent investment in Dehradun in case the city is included in the project. “The remaining 50 percent will be spent on other parts of the State, especially the hilly trains for founding smart towns,” he said.
Pitching strongly for development, CM said that the State's silent majority want development and the State government is committed to take care of the people’s mounting developmental aspirations. “Be sure we would not be found wanting as far as development is concerned,” he affirmed.