By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 19 Jul: District Magistrate Savin Bansal addressed several important civic and administrative issues raised by journalists at a ‘Meet the Press’ event hosted by the Uttaranchal Press Club. Speaking candidly in response to questions from senior journalists, Bansal shared the district administration’s priorities, progress, and challenges regarding land fraud, encroachments, corruption, traffic congestion, and drainage issues in Dehradun.
During the interaction, Savin Bansal underscored the pivotal role of social schemes, irrigation projects, and accountability-based administration in fostering development. He articulated that development transcends mere scheme implementation; it encompasses earning public trust through robust community participation and unwavering transparency. The DM revealed that he has personally intervened in several cases to ensure appropriate action, and further, in response to serious complaints against certain revenue officials, he has approached the vigilance department for necessary measures.
Bansal asserted that the governments are elected for certain mandate by the people and similarly senior officers are also deputed on posts with certain mandate. As a district magistrate, he is trying to fulfil the mandate to serve people and help people in distress. He added that he believes that continuous interaction with people is necessary if one has to deal with their problems.
In response to a query about the public hearings and resolving problems of the complainants on the spot and their follow up, Bansal reiterated that details of the complaints are noted down during the public hearings held by him and directions given to the officials concerned to resolve them. The complainants are also urged to revisit him, in case the problems have not been resolved within a reasonable or given time frame. In such cases, the officials responsible are publicly reprimanded. In respect of a question about the rise in land fraud and illegal registry of forest and government lands, Bansal acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. He said that in several cases, he has ordered probe and those found guilty would be punished. In addition, he also urged the people through the media that they should file complaints with the Vigilance Department of such officials who in their opinion are complicit in land frauds or encroachments. He added that in several cases he has himself referred the complainants to the vigilance department and ordered inquiry, adding that he takes the complaints of encroachment on government or private land very seriously and in each case directs verification of the documents also using digital verification tools. Whenever the administration identifies fraudulent registries or fake documents, FIRs are registered and departmental inquiries are held. In response to a related query, Bansal admitted that in large cities like Dehradun which is the capital of Uttarakhand, there are a multiple agencies handing various works. In addition, there are players such as local municipal corporators and local legislators who are also complicit in ignoring encroachments, but he tries his level best to resolve the issues and also takes up issues and recommendation to the higher authorities. He also assured the media of continued action on encroachments and land frauds.
Regarding the contentious drainage issue in the city, Bansal said that while a master plan is to be prepared as a long-term measure to deal with the drainage issue in Dehradun and Rishikesh. Short and medium term measures are already being adopted in areas identified with severe drainage issue such as ISBT. He asserted that in Dehradun, the major problem is flooding in certain crossings and main roads but in Rishikesh, several residential colonies face severe flooding. Solutions are being worked out and to a great extent this problem has been dealt with effectively in certain areas such as ISBT in Dehradun.
In response to a question, Bansal admitted that traffic congestion in Dehradun is a persistent problem for residents. The DM asserted that while projects like the Rispana and Bindal elevated road corridors and smart traffic signals are underway, poor lane discipline and lack of parking spaces are also part of the issue. He added that unless the public transport infrastructure is improved considerably, traffic congestion in Dehradun will remain a major challenge. He also spoke of steps like deterring private vehicle owners from driving in core city area by improving upon the parking and the public transport. E-Buses, e- autos and rickshaws do offer some relief. Some suggestions were also made by the media towards improving the traffic problem. Problems related to parking and roads in Mussoorie were also raised. The issue of needless barriers of RTO at Kuthal Gate was also raised.
Some other issues were also raised in response of which the DM pointed out that these were related to Nagar Nigam which has an autonomous elected board in place now. He suggested a similar Meet the Press with the Nigam authorities and reminded that while being an administrator of Dehradun Municipal Corporation, he tried his level best to improve sanitation and garbage and waste management. Some waste management companies were ousted and the Nagar Nigam was directed to take up garbage disposal in its hands in such places but some managed to obtain stay through the courts. The media persons acknowledged the role of Bansal and reminded him that during his period with Nagar Nigam as administrator, garbage disposal had improved considerably. Regarding encroachment on nullahs and drains, he reminded that this is an issue under the domain of Nagar Nigam.
Bansal urged citizens to formally register their grievances with the respective departments, assuring a timely and equitable resolution by the administration. He affirmed that the identity of complainants would be kept confidential and every issue would be addressed on a priority basis. Furthermore, he exhorted citizens to proactively manage their land and remain vigilant, asserting that “aware citizens form the bedrock of empowered administration.” In this context, he also directed the revenue department to resolve land-related complaints with transparency and alacrity.
The DM emphatically stated that the administration remains vigilant against corruption and mismanagement, and any dereliction of duty at any level would not be tolerated. He reiterated that maintaining continuous public dialogue is a top priority for the administration, aiming to instil confidence in citizens that their voices are heard and that the administration is committed to safeguarding their interests.
At the conclusion of the programme, Press Club president Bhupendra Singh Kandari presented District Magistrate Savin Bansal with a memento and extended gratitude to all guests.
The proceedings were jointly compered by Press Club Joint Secretary Abhay Singh Kainthura and Treasurer Anil Chandola. The event was graced by the presence of Press Club Senior Vice President Abhishek Mishra, Junior Vice President Sulochana Payal, Joint Secretary Rashmi Khatri, Auditor Shivesh Sharma, Executive Members Shoorveer Singh Bhandari, Mohd Asad, Pankaj Bhatt, Yogesh Raturi, Deepak Barthwal, Kishore Rawat, alongside District Information Officer Badri Prasad Negi, and a large number of journalists.
