Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Aug: The Dhami government has intensified efforts to ensure the planned and comprehensive development of the religious and tourist city of Rishikesh. Following the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Housing Department has accelerated the process of finalising the Rishikesh Master Plan and has focused on resolving pending issues related to it.
In this regard, a review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Housing Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar with the relevant development authorities of Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, and Tehri Garhwal. Various technical and planning issues related to the Master Plan, including building height, road width, traffic, residential and commercial activities, were discussed. The proposals of the three authorities will be processed at the government level.
Since the Rishikesh Master Plan spans three districts, proposals were sought from the development authorities of Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri. In a previous government-level meeting, the relevant authorities were directed to provide proposals approved by their respective boards. In compliance with this, the Tehri and Pauri authorities submitted their proposals to the government. The meeting examined the proposals received and comments from the concerned officials. Proposals to limit building heights to suit the needs of the area and the width of the road were also discussed.
Given the presence of a national highway and developmental needs in the Tehri region, a request was made to keep building heights in line with the standards of the plains. Meanwhile, since the Pauri district is adjacent to the Rajaji National Park, the suggestion to limit building heights, taking into account environmental sensitivity and local conditions, was considered appropriate.
Emphasising a balance between development and the environment, Housing Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar directed officials to complete all pending work related to the Master Plan on a priority basis. He stated that for a religious and tourist destination like Rishikesh, the Master Plan is not merely a land use document but a cornerstone for urban and economic development in the years to come. He noted that Rishikesh is a major spiritual and tourist destination for tourists from both India and abroad. Along with the number of tourists, the urban population, traffic pressure, and commercial activities are constantly increasing. In such a situation, keeping in mind the future needs, it is necessary to prepare a development plan, which, along with giving a systematic direction to the expansion of the city, also maintains environmental balance.
Along with residential and commercial areas, tourism activities, traffic system, parking, road network and infrastructure development will also be included in the master plan in a holistic manner. The government is trying to provide better facilities to the citizens and tourists in Rishikesh amidst increasing tourism and urbanisation and the traffic system can also be made effective. Keeping in mind the local needs and environmental conditions of the area, Housing Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar stated that emphasis is being placed on developing a balanced development model that takes into account environmental sensitivity. Environmental considerations will be prioritised in planning construction and development activities, especially in areas adjacent to the Rajaji National Park.
Taking a tough stand on unnecessary delays,
Dr Kumar directed better coordination between the concerned departments and development authorities. He stated that pending matters at the technical or departmental level should be resolved expeditiously. Unnecessary delays in the process of finalising the Master Plan would not be tolerated. The Dhami government’s intention is to develop Rishikesh as a modern, well-equipped, and well-organised tourist destination, along with religious tourism. Effective implementation of the Master Plan is expected to provide clear direction for future residential, commercial, tourism, and infrastructure development in the region. According to the state government, Rishikesh’s development should promote tourism and economic activities, while not compromising the city’s environmental sensitivity and the needs of local citizens. With this balance in mind, action is being taken to finalise the master plan soon.
