Officials of the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority state that the opposition to the Chakrata Road redevelopment plan is illogical as the allegations being made by the protesters are baseless. While the affected traders and residents continue to protest, the authority has imposed section 17 and started the land acquisition process.
As per the Chakrata Road redevelopment plan, the road has been divided into eight blocks. According to the MDDA secretary Bansidhar Tiwari, eight storeyed buildings will be constructed on both sides of the road and these buildings will be linked with a sky-walk.
“The lower and upper ground floors along with the first floor will be used for commercial purpose while the next two floors will be used as a parking. The top three floors will be put to use for residential purpose,” he said while adding that the land acquisition process has been started to facilitate the execution of this plan which will prove to be beneficial for the residents, members of the business fraternity and members of the public.
However, a faction of the affected shopkeepers and residents has continued to oppose the redevelopment plan. They state that the buildings on this road are not dilapidated and question the intention of the government to acquire the land when the road has been widened enough. They said that in 2011 the Chakrata Road traders and residents had agreed to give their land in public interest without protests for the widening of Chakrata road.
A portion of land was taken by the government and for that part the Government compensated the people in the new complex near Clock Tower. For the remaining land, it was clearly mentioned in the government order that the maps will be passed for reconstruction and in some the nazul land will be free holded as well.
They allege that the redevelopment plan is a ploy to provide ulterior benefit to the builders, corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. However, observers state that though the MDDA is also responsible for the situation, the differences have been exacerbated by political factors and the simple matter of profit and loss.