Uttarakhand Stories

Dehradun – A Capital City With a Poor Model of Development

by Manoj Bhandari
Feb 14, 2017

Its existence as a part of Uttarakhand

Best known as the state capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun is a place where development should have been clearly visible. More so, because our chosen representatives and our beloved Chief Minister resides here. On 9 November 2000, the central government finally heard the voice of Pahari people and decided to give a separate state called Uttarakhand (earlier Uttaranchal) which was carved out of U.P.

However, the proposed capital, which was deemed necessary by agitators and local Pahari folks, was Gairsain due to its strategic location. It could be easily reached from Kumaon as well as Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. But in the hustle bustle of making new state, Dehradun was made an interim capital of Uttarakhand.

A brief intro about Dehradun

Dehradun is a historic city which lies in the foothills of the Himalayas surrounded by Doon valley. The outskirts of Doon city is so beautiful and enriched by natural resources like national parks, rivers, dense green forests with a variety of flora and fauna etc.  This town is snuggled between two holiest rivers of India, i.e Yamuna and Ganga. The city is famous for its salubrious weather which makes it a favorite residential city. The Shivalik range in the south and high hills from the east gives a beguiling topographical setting to this city. So critically if you described this city geographically, then it surely lies in a very Eco-sensitive zone.

Dehradun traffic and vikrams

Photo by Kanwal

Reasons why Dehradun is chosen as a state capital over Gairsain?

  • Except for Pantnagar, Dehradun is the only city of Uttarakhand which is well connected by Railways, Air, and National Highways.
  • Dehradun is a well-known city of northern India and situated at a distance of just 248 km from national capital New Delhi, which holds a lot of political importance.
  • The city is best known for its calm and mild weather which makes it an ideal place to work.
  • It has all the basic facilities and infrastructure over Gairsain.
  • At the formation of the state, Gairsain was a far-flung abandoned place. So to make it a state capital at that time was not feasible because it would have needed a lot of money to develop infrastructure there.

However, other Himalayan states have their state capitals in the midst of mountains like Shimla and Srinagar but their story is different as they were known towns before. Except these, Dehradun was already famous for its renowned educational institute’s whether they are Government or Private – this city is purely an education hub for northern India. But these all were founded way before the formation of Uttarakhand like Forest Research Institute of India, Indian Military Academy, ITBP Academy & Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) etc.  So the point is, what we gained when it became the state capital of Uttarakhand?

A City from Green carpet to concrete Jungles and Garbage mountains

If you are planning to visit Dehradun and thinks that it is like as described by great author Ruskin Bond in his books then here is a different surprise for you. Once known for its lush green forests, small Rivers, Basmati rice, litchi orchards, tea estates etc, Dehradun is now just a huge garbage dump. All this happened because of unplanned city development and obviously city development board and past governments are clearly responsible for the current condition of Dehradun.

Reasons why Dehradun is a Poor Model of Development

  1. Environment-Unfriendly Urban Planning.
  2. Lethargic attitude of Government.
  3. Bad condition of roads & Huge traffic during peak hours.
  4. There is no proper drainage and sewer line system.
  5. No Proper conveyance facility, especially after 7pm.
  6. Encroachment of land (ex. illegal settlements around Rispana river).
  7. Lack of job opportunities and industries.
  8. Every empty plot of Dehradun is a dumping ground.
  9. Conditions of Govt. schools/hospitals & offices like R.T.O is very unsatisfactory.

Recently, Government of India launched a program named Smart Cities Mission which is an urban renewal and retrofitting program in which government will develop 100 (now 109) cities all over the country to make them citizen friendly and sustainable. From Uttarakhand, Dehradun is the only city which was shortlisted. Recently Ministry of Urban Development (MoUd) has released the final name of 60 cities for this project in which Dehradun has failed again to make its position on all three lists. However, so many citizens of Dehradun opposed the idea of developing Doon’s tea estates into a smart city.

Uttarakhand Assembly Elections 2017 & Candidates from Dehradun District
Sr. No Constituencies No. of candidates participating
1 CHAKRATA(ST) 4
2 DEHRADUN CANTT 12
3 DHARAMPUR 19
4 DOIWALA 11
5 MUSSOORIE 11
6 RAIPUR 19
7 RAJPUR ROAD(SC) 8
8 RISHIKESH 11
9 SAHASPUR 14
10 VIKASNAGAR 12
Total 10 Constituencies 121

 

Click on your constituency to check candidates education, age, assets & criminal background.

3: DHARAMPUR*

4: DOIWALA*

5: MUSSOORIE*

6: RAIPUR*

8: RISHIKESH*

 

Data Src: myneta.info

Manoj Bhandari


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