By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 3 Jun: The proposed Rispana-Bindal elevated road project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Dehradun, has sparked strong opposition from slum residents as well as from some NGOs and political parties including the Congress. Today, under the banner of the Congress, protestors staged a demonstration outside the Dehradun Municipal Corporation office, demanding the project’s withdrawal. Former Congress MLA Rajkumar joined the protest in support of the affected families.
Protestors claim the project will result in the demolition of hundreds of homes, displacing poor families who were earlier settled by the government. They allege that after allowing the poor to settle, the administration now labels their homes as encroachments. Accusing the government of offering meagre compensation, they threatened an aggressive agitation if their demands are ignored.
It may be recalled that over 2,600 homes are set to be acquired and demolished for the project. The Dehradun Municipal Corporation has already issued notices to 864 households, whose documents are now being verified. The protestors also submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner in this regard, urging the government to reconsider its decision.
Expressing his concerns, Rajkumar asserted that the Congress government had settled poor families on barren government land, but the BJP government is now working to demolish their homes. He asked where these residents would go after eviction and criticised the inadequate compensation being offered. He further pointed out that those residing on government land may not receive any compensation at all.
Meanwhile, Municipal Commissioner Namami Bansal confirmed that notices were issued and that some affected residents had submitted a memorandum. She assured that after document verification, arrangements for alternative housing and compensation would be made for eligible individuals.
