Voices of concern are emerging from many sections of society about the viability of the proposed ‘elevated roads’ over the Rispana and Bindal Rivers in Dehradun. The impact of the project on the environment and the health of the rivers is a primary worry, as these are central to the valley’s ecosystem. Much of the groundwater recharge is from these rivers at a time when most of the traditional streams, rivulets and canals have dried up or been closed for various types of ‘development’. Dehradun already suffers from shortage of drinking water supply because the Jal Nigam sources it from tubewells whose ground water levels are dropping rapidly. Projects to obtain water from perennial rivers languish or have become unviable.
The plan to build the elevated roads in areas that are quite heavily populated, unlike where the Delhi-Dehradun elevated road was built, is not only going to seriously disrupt life and livelihoods but is very likely to destroy the absorptive capacity of the rivers. The focus not so long ago was to revive and restore these rivers by removing encroachments and developing a green belt along their banks. All that is no longer heard of and, suddenly, their very existence is being threatened.
And what gives the government the confidence that the traffic flow will be better managed once these roads are built? In a city where there is absolutely no driving discipline, and the increasing number of rich residents buy bigger and bigger cars even if it is to transport one person, the traffic problem is unlikely to be relieved in any sustainable way. The priority should be to instill traffic discipline among the people and for such commuters even two-lane roads are good enough.
Much of Dehradun exists in a very limited area, which is why it is having to go vertical to accommodate the increasing population. It would be better perhaps to use the Rs 60,000 crores expected to be spent on the proposed road project on decongesting the city. A good start in this regard would be to take all government offices to the outer areas, with a bit of intelligent planning, of course. Also, the public transport system can be vastly improved with just investing a few hundred crore rupees in comparison. More cars only require more parking, which is not available. Encouraging people to use good quality buses to commute would ease much of the problem. Considering all this and other factors, it seems that the primary incentive behind the proposed project is, possibly, the kickbacks that will be available. What else can an objective observer assume?
