PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Opposition has emerged against the proposed Rispana–Bindal Elevated Road project, with 146 citizens from Dehradun and Mussoorie sending a signed letter to the Union minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. The signatories, associated with the Dehradun Citizens Forum (DCF) and other citizen groups, include professionals, retired officials, writers, academicians and others.
The citizens have called for an immediate halt to the proposed 26-kilometre elevated road, citing 21 serious concerns. In their letter, they stated that Dehradun is already grappling with unplanned growth, local traffic congestion and ecological stress, arguing that the project would exacerbate environmental, geological, legal, social and economic risks rather than alleviate them. They noted that Dehradun lies between the Main Boundary Thrust and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust and has recently been classified under the highest seismic risk category in new BIS maps. The Rispana and Bindal rivers flow through loose sand, gravel and silt, which could liquefy even during moderate earthquakes, posing significant risks to the stability of the elevated pillars and nearby habitations.
Referring to flash floods that occurred on September 15–16 this year, the citizens warned that construction over riverbeds would obstruct natural water flow, increasing flood risks in low-lying areas such as IT Park, Dalanwala, Race Course and Inder Road. The letter also highlights concerns about the loss of groundwater recharge, rising urban heat, deteriorating air quality and damage to riverine ecosystems.
According to the letter, nearly 3,000 families living along the riverbanks face displacement without any clear rehabilitation plan, despite their long-term residence and regular payment of taxes and utility bills. The livelihoods of small shopkeepers and informal workers along the rivers would also be severely affected.
The signatories point out that escalating project costs have raised further alarm. The estimated cost has reportedly risen from Rs 4,500 crore to Rs 6,200 crore even before construction begins and may eventually exceed Rs 8,000–10,000 crore. Citizens argued that this reflects poor planning and fiscal imprudence. They contrast this with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2024, prepared by Uttarakhand Metro Rail Corporation, which recommends electric buses, ropeways, improved use and widening of existing roads and pedestrian-friendly zones instead of building large elevated corridors.
The letter asserts that the elevated road will not resolve Dehradun’s local traffic congestion and will instead create significant bottlenecks at Mussoorie diversion points, providing no relief to key city areas such as Saharanpur Chowk, Balliwala and other major intersections.
The citizens have urged the government to pursue an alternative vision focused on blue-green corridors, river restoration, effective public transport and enhanced public parking, among others rather than relying on concrete-heavy projects.
The signatories to the letter include several prominent citizens, such as Anoop Nautiyal, Anish Lal, Bharti Jain, Jagmohan Mehndiratta, Ramana Kumar and many others.
