The riverfront development project in Dehradun has lent wings to the dreams of many as even the poorest of persons who have ownership right to small plots of land will also benefit from the increase in the rates of land. Chief minister Harish Rawat expressed this opinion while visiting the site of the riverfront development work being undertaken near the Bindal river by the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) on Tuesday.
Expression appreciation for the work being undertaken by the MDDA, the Chief Minister said that this was just the beginning as the authority is also to undertake a serious and major role in urban development and beautification of Dehradun.
Rawat said that in places where the MDDA is developing housing projects, attention is also being given to other aspects like adequate parking space for vehicles, green belt development and setting up of parks in the area, which he opined was commendable.
“Now the MDDA is not limited to playing the role of an inspector and has developed into a body that builds homes. Along with road works, channels and development of parks, the MDDA is also moving forward in other activities. It is a matter of joy that the Rispana and Bindal rivers which were in a dire condition are now becoming the lifelines of Dehradun. The Song river is also undergoing consistent extension. Considering this, despite its limited financial resources the State Government has facilitated a sum of Rs 35 crore for the river front development project. Thousands of youth will be able to secure employment with the river front development project coming into existence. There will be a rise in commercial activities conducted here, in addition to which Dehradun will also receive water and oxygen. This project of the MDDA will also help resolve the problem of vehicular crowding on the roads and also improve the pace of traffic from Rajpur to Mothrowala. In fact, this project will play the role of a bridge to connect the ‘poor’ and ‘rich’ Dehradun. The MDDA should now discharge the role of a transformer. As the Delhi Development Authority plays the role of facilitating development and beautification of the national capital, the MDDA will have to advance a step further and play a creative role in the development of Dehradun,” said the Chief Minister.
He further averred that successful implementation of the river front development project with only Rs 35 crore has increased the reliability of the MDDA to such a level that now it can easily secure a credit of Rs 300 crore.
Cabinet minister Dinesh Aggarwal, MlA Rajkumar, MDDA vice chairman R Meenakshi Sundaram and other officials were also present on the occasion.