Doon ‘model roads’ project moves on slow lane, minister says onus to be fixed - Hindustan Times
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Doon ‘model roads’ project moves on slow lane, minister says onus to be fixed

Hindustan Times | By, Dehradun
Dec 17, 2017 08:14 PM IST

Launched with much hype earlier this year, the project of creating ‘model roads’ in the state capital is charting a sluggish pace

Launched with much hype earlier this year, the project of creating ‘model roads’ in the state capital is charting a sluggish pace.

About 370 encroachments were demolished between Inter-State Bus Terminus and Clock Tower in the first phase of the project in June.(Vinay Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)
About 370 encroachments were demolished between Inter-State Bus Terminus and Clock Tower in the first phase of the project in June.(Vinay Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

With no clear deadline specified by urban development minister Madan Kaushik - whose brainchild this project is – things are moving on at a slow speed, with work having progressed on only on the first of the many proposed model roads so far.

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The concept was aimed at freeing key arterial roads from encroachments besides beautifying them, thereby presenting Dehradun as a ‘model city’ for urban centres across rest of the state to follow.

It all started in May when Kaushik directed the district administration to ensure removal of all encroachments from key roads of Dehradun, transforming them into ‘model roads’.

Following his orders, over 374 encroachments were demolished between Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) and Clock Tower in the first phase of the project in June.

This activity was to be followed by anti-encroachment drives on the other identified roads as well, but that is yet to happen. In fact, a number of squatters have returned on the first stretch itself, which was revealed during a recent inspection by the minister.

When contacted, Kaushik admitted that the speed at which the project was going on was “not satisfactory”.

“The speed is certainly not as much as it should have been. I have asked the officials to begin work on war footing – even round the clock if required, for which their (officials’) accountability is also being fixed,” Kaushik told HT.

The minister, however, said no particular deadline had been fixed for the completion of the project.

“We don’t want to rush things just for the sake of it. Since it involves large-scale changes across the city, it will take time (to execute). We want works to do be done in a proper manner,” he said.

Various agencies, including Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority, police and departments of public works, electricity, water supply and revenue among others had been delegated specific duties, he said.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Neha Pant is a senior correspondent at Hindustan Times based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. She writes on a range of topics including civic issues, urban development, politics, health, women and youth issues, culture and lifestyle.

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