State people yet to benefit from urban sector projects

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 31

The people of Uttarakhand are yet to benefit from the urban sector projects initiated in different cities of the state under the Tranche 2 and Tranche 4 of Asian Development Bank-aided projects.

From time to time, charges of alleged irregularities and serious lapses in certain projects have been pointed out, but the projects are still underway in major cities.

The Tranche 4 projects of the Asian Development Bank are still underway in different cities.

Around 12 projects worth Rs 237.73 crore are underway in Haridwar, Nainital and Dehradun.

As part of this, the work on water distribution network in Dehradun, installation of gravity water main to be set up from Bindal to Dilaram, modernisation of pump houses and making available mobile and in situ generators, establishing a 68-MLD sewerage treatment plant in Dehradun, laying a sewer line in Kargi area, construction of tube wells in Nainital, making available new water tanks and construction of clean water reservoirs would be conducted.

Further, Tranche 2 projects worth Rs 288.47 crore were being carried out in Dehradun, Ramnagar, Haldwani, Nainital and Rishikesh. Eight projects of drinking water and sewerage were also being carried out. Other projects include cleaning of water tanks and reservoirs; water treatment plant in Dehradun; water supply project in Roorkee and Haldwani; and establishing a 33-MLD sewerage treatment plant, as also chambers and valves in Nainital and improvement of water facilities in Ram Nagar.

An inquiry report of the State Planning Commission had earlier found widespread alleged irregularities and serious lapses in the Rs 183-crore ADB-sponsored sewer lines project in the hill resort of Mussoorie and Dehradun. However, the government is yet to take action on the report.

Serious lapse

From time to time, charges of alleged irregularities and serious lapses in certain projects have been pointed out. Nearly 12 projects worth Rs 237.73 crore are underway in Haridwar, Nainital and Dehradun.