U’khand’s Sabarmati-like riverfront project kicked off.

The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) has kicked off its much anticipated 30-km-long riverfront project — on the lines of the Ahmadabad's Sabarmati riverfront project — in Dehradun from Wednesday. The most interesting features of the project will be direct connectivity of Bindaal bridge with Rispana, rejuvenation of the river and rehabilitation of slum-dwellers.

At present, it takes nearly half an hour to reach from one bridge to other. With this project in place, the commuting time would be reduced to half. As per the civic agency, seven-metre-wide motorable roads and 3.5-metre-wide walkways would be developed throughout the stretch.

The development will also see multitude of modern pre-fabricated engineering works, green spaces and commercial sites which will help MDDA garner revenue.

The 30-km-stretch not only promises complete rejuvenation of the river but it also promises better connectivity and comprehensive resettlement plan for slum-dwellers residing on the upstream of rivers Rispana and Bindaal.

In the pilot phase of project, three structures will be raised at three different locations on Rispana and Bindaal. To ensure speedy completion of the project, MDDA has earmarked an encroachment-free area for initiating the project, so that it doesn't invite undue controversies from slum-dwellers.

Funds worth Rs 125 crore have been sanctioned to the civic body for the first phase of the project by the finance committee.

Speaking with TOI, MDDA vice-chairman Meenakshi Sundaram said, 'The project is long and will be conducted under several phases. In the pilot phase, we will commence with construction of embankment wall. We will, after that, excavate land and channel the rivers to give them a fresh lease of life. This will be followed by construction of reclining land alongside the river so that riverfront development could be started. Most importantly, fresh sewer lines will be laid across the project site to ensure that the waste from nullahs is dumped through the newly-laid sewer lines into the 68MLD capacity sewer treatment plant at Mothrowala.'

Once the excavation of the river is done, it will be sanitized by a team of experts. Later, nearly 15 check-dams would be constructed to enhance the underwater table of the river. Check-dams will help in restoring water and improving the underwater table which has drastically reduced in the past years, said a MDDA official.

As the project picks up pace, MDDA will rehabilitate the slum-dwellers, the economically weaker section and LIG income group people residing in flats upstream. As per Sundaram, no one would be displaced throughout the riverfront project until department is ready with ready-to-move-in houses for them.

TOI