By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 Aug: Serious questions have been consistently raised over the construction and maintenance works under the Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) and the latest controversy has emerged from Paltan Bazaar where street lights from the Clock Tower to Darshani Gate have remained switched off for several days now, the reason being the non-payment of electricity bills by DSCL. According to sources, the electricity bill had not been paid for months by Dehradun Smart City Ltd (DSCL), which has resulted in UPCL disconnecting the connections from the meter installed at Kotwali. As a result, the entire stretch along the Paltan Bazaar has been plunged into darkness at night, causing concern among traders who fear an increase in thefts and other suspicious activities. In this regard, the business community from Paltan Bazaar, Dhamawala Bazaar, Peepal Mandi and Darshni Gate has repeatedly complained to the municipal mayor, Smart City authorities and UPCL, but no satisfactory response has been received so far.
In this regard, when questioned by the media, District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan today took immediate cognisance of the matter and reprimanded the Smart City officials. He directed them to deposit the pending electricity bill without any further delay and ordered prompt restoration of the street lights in Paltan Bazaar. He also warned that salaries of the responsible officials might be withheld if the instructions are not complied with.
