DEHRADUN: Dehradun's Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) is facing  scrutiny for its management of the Dehradun Draft Master Plan 2041.

The Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation and other over 800 members of the civil society groups, who have redflagged  a series of valid concerns regarding the apparent absence of public engagement in the formulation and execution of the master plan.

This is despite the city's inherent vulnerability to seismic activity, as well as the valuable insights provided by over 800 members of civil society groups who have actively submitted their objectives or suggestions to MDDA  

The MDDA's perceived failure to prioritize and promote transparency in the public's input and feedback process has generated significant apprehension among the city's residents and concerned citizens, who want see Dehradun city as a green clean,  safe sustainable city for its future generations. 

In their letter, the SDC Foundation President Anoop Nautiyal highlights ten pressing issues that have remained largely unaddressed.

These issues include the unchecked pace of urbanization, which is transforming the city from its erstwhile greenery into a concrete jungle.

Moreover, there is a palpable lack of consideration for long-term sustainability in the ongoing development projects under Smart city tag, which raises concerns about the city's future.

The SDC Foundation's letter also raises questions regarding the MDDA's response to the Uttarakhand High Court's comment on the Doon Valley Notification.

The Foundation emphasizes the need to address the seismic fault lines that traverse the city and its surrounding areas.

Despite these concerns, the MDDA continues to grant approvals for large-scale residential and commercial projects in the region.

The letter points out that the Draft Master Plan projects an estimated population of 23.5 to 24 lakhs by 2041, underlining the need to consider the town's carrying capacity.

In addition to these specific concerns, the SDC Foundation's letter highlights the broader challenges faced by the city, encompassing issues related to cleanliness, hygiene, traffic, drainage, greenery, and climate.

The Foundation urges the MDDA and the Uttarakhand government to ensure that infrastructure development in the city takes these concerns into account.

A particularly critical point raised in the letter is the impact of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on traffic congestion and the existing infrastructure of Dehradun.

The SDC Foundation's letter does not mince words in expressing the concern that this expressway will further exacerbate traffic problems and may lead to the deterioration of existing infrastructure, which is already under stress.

Furthermore, the state of public transport, parking facilities, and the overall traffic situation in Dehradun is brought into focus, shedding light on the pressing need for comprehensive solutions.

The overarching message conveyed by the SDC Foundation's letter is a demand for more conscientious, sustainable, and inclusive development practices.

The Foundation hopes that both the MDDA and the Uttarakhand government will consider the points raised in their letter and, in the interest of the larger public, take a more transparent and inclusive approach to the city's development.