A statement of intent was signed between the State and Tongji University, China for planning and executing Dehradun Smart City project as a joint venture.
Stating that this was the first step towards capitalisation of the major opportunity for developing a smart city, Chief Minister Harish Rawat stressed that the interests of the tea-estate workers and all other stakeholders will not be harmed in the execution of this project.
Speaking on the occasion, Rawat said that about 25 years ago Dehradun was a smart city better than many others.
“However, after being made the State capital, the population doubled and unplanned development exacerbated pressures which the town now faces. For the smart city project we were left with only one option- the tea-estate in Shimla bye-pass area, as there are issues with other options like forest in Raipur, unavailability of permission in Mussoorie and suicidal consequences of using land in Doiwala as that would entail acquisition of agriculture land which in turn would stall the sugar mills. It has also become essential to decongest the existing city which is facing increasing pressure”.
Calling the project a win-win situation for the public, he said that Defence Colony, Vasant Vihar colony and other developments in the city were also constructed on tea-estates.
He said, “I assure the public that the rights of tea-estate land for this project will remain with the government and not with builders. Green cover will be developed in this area which will be much better than the existing green cover. We are also seeking consultation from the Forest Research Institute to ensure timely and effective measures regarding the ecological aspects of this project.” The CM directed officials to see to it that the first construction to be inaugurated here should be for the tea-estate workers.
Rawat also thanked Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli and the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun for unanimously passing the smart city proposal.
Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli said that development of satellite town was a long standing requirement to resolve problems resulting from population and other various pressures. He said, “Within a week people will start asking me about progress in the execution of this project.However, we should realise that such a project cannot be completed in days and that it may take even eight to 15 years to achieve proper development of the city. The public must understand that in such transformational projects like this one, one has to face inconvenience and display patience. Keeping this issue above politics, I and the MCD board give our complete support to the chief minister for this project,” he stressed.
Forest minister Dinesh Aggarwal said that Dehradun was under increasing pressure due to rising population and uncontrolled development taking place in the last 15-20 years.
Urban Development minister Pritam Singh Panwar said that this project will meet the long standing requirements of Doon. Stressing that interests of all the stakeholders will be attended to, he added that various developmental works will also be undertaken in the existing town.
Chief principal secretary to the CM, Rakesh Sharma and MDDA vice chairman R Meenakshi Sundaram also spoke on the occasion.
The statement of intent was signed between Xian Xia Namkai from Tongji University and Sundaram on behalf of Greater Doon Development Authority, a special purpose vehicle of Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority (UHUDA) and MDDA.