The demand for shifting government offices from Nainital to Ranibagh in Haldwani is growing. On Tuesday, the Nainital Bachao Sangharsh Samiti demonstrated in Haldwani over the issue.
The samiti convenor, Ravindra Bali said that Naintal is facing immense pressure of traffic on the roads. “The HMT factory premises at Ranibagh in Haldwani is lying vacant and it can be used to run the various government departments that are functioning in Nainital,” he said, adding that it would save the lake city from traffic jams and congestion.
He said that the Uttarakhand high court and all the district-level offices should be shifted from Nainital to Haldwani, so as to give the lake city a breather and allow proper tourism. “Pressure of up to 10,000 commuters would be lessened, if the high court and government offices are shifted to Ranibagh,” he opined.
However, Nainital district magistrate Vinod Kumar Suman rejected the demand. “There is no such possibility. Nainital is the district headquarter and the collectorate and other important offices such as food and supplies, Hydel, PWD, revenue have been established there and they cannot be shifted,” he said.
He, however, added that the people were free to stage demonstrations, as it was “their democratic right”.
Nowadays, Nainital city is facing heavy influx of tourists and their vehicles are being stopped at Ranibagh and Russi Bypass, from where the passengers are being taken to the lake city through shuttle services.
Social activist Hemant Gauniya is of the view that though the government offices might not be shifted from Nainital to Haldwani, the premises of defunct HMT factory can be used to set up institutions such as university, college or centres of excellence. “The HMT premises are quite big and spacious and can be used for better means, which will aid in the development of the city,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Social activist Hemant Gauniya is of the view that though the government offices might not be shifted from Nainital to Haldwani, the premises of defunct HMT factory can be used to set up institutions such as university, college or centres of excellence. “The HMT premises are quite big and spacious and can be used for better means, which will aid in the development of the city,” he said.
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