BJP workers protest proposed hike in Mall Road entry fee

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, August 26

Mussoorie BJP workers led by local MLA Ganesh Joshi today organised a protest march against the proposed hike in the entry fee to the Mall Road and other problems being faced by town residents.

The BJP workers, including activists of the women’s wing of the party, also joined the protest and marched from Picture Palace to the SDM’s office raising slogans against the Municipal Council of Mussoorie and demanded immediate resolution of their grievances.

The BJP workers met the SDM Jitendar Kumar and apprised him about the problems being faced by town residents. Ganesh Joshi along with party workers presented a memorandum addressed to the Governor to the SDM stating that the proposed hike in the entry fee at the Mall Road barriers for tourist vehicles from Rs 150 to Rs 500 was unwarranted and they would oppose it vehemently.

Joshi lamented that the state government headed by Chief Minister Harish Rawat was not interested in the development of the Mussoorie Assembly constituency. The construction of a combined health centre that was earlier known as Civil Hospital near Landour Bazaar was still incomplete even after 6 years. A portion that had been constructed had begun disintegrating. He said the construction of the health centre should be completed in the interest of the people.

Joshi demanded removal of the freeze zone clause that was introduced to ban constructions in a stipulated area of the town. Considering the increase in population of the town, there was need for new housing facilities but due to the freeze zone clause residents were unable to build or expand their houses. .

Mussoorie BJP president Mohan Petwal said a large number of students travel to Dehradun for education everyday and face problems in getting monthly bus passes. He demanded a separate pass counter for students travelling in the Uttarakhand transport corporation buses. He said Ganesh Joshi had raised all these issues in the past but the state government had initiated no action.

Mussoorie BJP general secretary Kushal Rana, BJP Mahila Morcha president Sarojini Kaintura, Landour Cantt ward member Badal Prakash, Pushpa Padyar, Chandrakala Syaana, Virendar Panwar, Ramesh Khanduri and Roop Chand Sharma took part in the march.