Dehradun Residents Oppose ₹6,200 Crore Elevated Road; Write to Nitin Gadkari

Around 150 residents from Dehradun and Mussoorie have formally written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, voicing strong opposition to the proposed Rispana–Bindal Elevated Road project. The collective, including environmentalists, retired officials, and local traders, raised 21 specific concerns regarding the 26-kilometre corridor.

Key Concerns Raised by Citizens

The Dehradun Citizens Forum and other signatory groups argue that the project poses severe risks to the city’s safety and environment:

• Seismic Vulnerability: Residents highlighted that Dehradun falls under the highest seismic risk category. They warned that the Rispana and Bindal riverbeds consist of loose sand and gravel, which could undergo soil liquefaction during an earthquake, destabilizing the elevated pillars.
• Flash Flood Risks: Recalling the devastating flash floods of September 2024, the letter warns that construction on riverbeds will obstruct natural water flow, threatening areas like Dalanwala, Race Course, and IT Park.
• Mass Displacement: Nearly 3,000 families living along the riverbanks face the threat of displacement without a clear rehabilitation plan.
• Escalating Costs: Citizens alleged the project cost has already jumped from ₹4,500 crore to ₹6,200 crore before construction even began, calling it “fiscally imprudent.”

Alleged Procedural Lapses

The letter flags a lack of transparency from the state authorities:

1. Missing Documentation: No Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been made public.
2. Public Hearings: Residents claim that mandatory hearings were conducted without official video recordings and that those raising objections faced intimidation.

Proposed Alternatives

Instead of a massive elevated corridor, the residents suggested following the Comprehensive Mobility Plan–2024, which recommends:

• Expansion of electric bus fleets.
• Development of urban ropeways.
• Widening of existing roads and creating pedestrian-friendly zones.

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