The depth and expanse of the anti-encroachment drive carried out in Doon by the authorities, displays the positive intent of the government and the district administration. At the same time, something similar has happened often enough in the past, but the encroachment has returned with a vengeance. This means it is not demolition drives that matter so much as the regulatory machinery. If those tasked with the daily monitoring, deliberately or otherwise, overlook the creep back of encroachment, or the brazen construction of illegal structures, the scenario will be the same again in a few days. Except that some smaller shopkeepers will have suffered irreparable loss at the altar of a false god. (It must be remembered that many shopkeepers have to themselves encroach merely to remain competitive in a market where some seek unfair advantage by extending their premises on to public areas. It is a vicious cycle.)
So, if the government really wants all this effort to be effective, very strict monitoring will have to be done in the future. This is particularly in the case of businesses that pile goods, billboards, etc., on to the roads during the day, and pull them in if there is a problem. If effect, they are just as intrusive as those with permanent constructions. It is necessary, therefore, not just for the beat cop, but also the senior officials buzzing around in their cars to be aware of how the roads and other public spaces are being occupied. Action must be prompt and strict.
Also, Dehradun’s bid to become a ‘smart city’ will be ineffective in shifting into another paradigm if the regulatory mechanism remains just as lax as at the present. Political interference on behalf of law-breakers, in particular, ought to be rendered absolutely ineffective.
Above all, no city can be ‘smart’ without a smart citizenry. Along with enforcement and punishment, it is necessary to conduct a sustained campaign on building awareness regarding the huge self-interest that exists in everybody conforming to the law. And, in turn, the law, too, should be smart and up to date. There has to be developed a concept of urban planning that meets the needs of not just the present, but also well into the future. The pace at which the population is growing has to be taken into account. To ensure that people don’t just flock into one area, peri-urban areas, too, need to be developed. Without a doubt, a smart city will need much smarter management than at the present.
