Dehradun Residents Sound Alarm Over Rispana-Bindal Elevated Road Project: 21 Concerns Raised
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Dehradun residents, including professionals, academicians, and local residents, have written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressing concerns over the proposed Rispana-Bindal Elevated Road project. The 146-signature letter, signed by the Dehradun Citizens Forum and other resident groups, highlights 21 key issues with the project, which aims to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity to Mussoorie. The residents argue that the project would exacerbate environmental, geological, and social risks in Dehradun, a city already grappling with unplanned growth, traffic congestion, and ecological stress. They point to the city's seismic vulnerability, citing its location between the Main Boundary Thrust and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, as well as the risk of liquefaction during earthquakes. The residents also warn that construction over riverbeds would obstruct natural flow and heighten flood risks in low-lying areas. They cite the flash floods on September 15-16 this year as a prime example of the potential consequences. Furthermore, the residents raise concerns over the project's escalating cost, which has already risen from ₹4,500 crore to ₹6,200 crore. They argue that the project's focus on elevated corridors is fiscally imprudent and would not effectively address local traffic congestion. As alternatives, the residents suggest the Comprehensive Mobility Plan-2024, which recommends electric buses, ropeways, and improved use of existing roads. They argue that the government should focus on a blue-green corridor vision, centered on river restoration, effective public transport, and improved public parking, rather than concrete-heavy interventions. The Rispana-Bindal elevated road project proposes two separate elevated roadways along the riverbeds, spanning about 26 km. However, the residents' concerns and proposed alternatives have yet to be addressed. A spokesperson for the Public Works Department (PWD) secretary Pankaj Kumar Pandey did not respond to calls for comment. The residents' letter highlights the potential impact on nearly 3,000 families living along the riverbanks, who face displacement without a clear rehabilitation plan. The livelihoods of small shopkeepers and informal workers along the rivers would also be affected. The residents' concerns and proposed alternatives have sparked a debate over the project's feasibility and the need for a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to addressing Dehradun's traffic congestion and mobility issues.
