Centre has accepted smart city proposal, says Mayor

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 18

Vinod Chamoli, Mayor, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), has said the Union Government had accepted the smart city proposal, going to be constructed on tea estates on the outskirts of the city. He was addressing a press conference held at the DMC office here today.

He said the construction work on the smart city would be started only when the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Tea Board, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Urban Development etc approve the project. The proposal was drafted considering all aspects as per the Centre’s guidelines.

Chamoli said the detailed project report (DPR) would be jointly prepared by Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and Uttarakhand Development Authority (UDA) once the Union Government approves the project in the future. The smart city proposal was unanimously passed in the DMC after councillors were apprised about the pros and cons of the project, he stated.

The Union Government had assured that funds would not be a barrier to improve the infrastructure in Himalayan states of the country. There was a need to improve infrastructure on the outskirts due to increased population in the city, he added.

Meanwhile, Mayor Vinod Chamoliorganised the press conference to convey that he enjoys the support of the party councillors. However, only a few BJP councillors were present with him today.

Interestingly, senior BJP leaders are opposing the construction of the smart city on tea estates. Most of the leaders, including former Chief Minister BC Khanduri, had opposed the move and were unhappy with the stand taken by Chamoli on the issue.