U'khand to revive infra projects in Dehra Dun

Taking a serious view of the infrastructure projects languishing in Dehra Dun, the Uttarakhand government is now going to take up some of them on priority basis and has also planned new initiatives.

The Mussoorie Dehra Dun Development Authority (MDDA) is planning to set up a new city centre project near the ISBT here on a 20-acre land. An investment of Rs 125 crore is proposed in the project.

For this purpose, the MDDA has already invited tenders and would shortly finalise the entire process. A planetarium, community hall and a mall have been proposed at the city centre.

The MDDA is also coming up with the Doon Haat project in the heart of the city with an investment of Rs 45 crore. Nearly a hectare land has been identified in this regard. The project is currently facing resistance from local shopkeepers as well some politicians, who want space in the Doon Haat.

The government has also asked the MDDA to give necessary clearance to the old bus stand project here. The project is facing bureaucratic hurdles despite an agreement reached between the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) and Hyderbad-based Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited (NCCL) on PPP mode in 2008.

Under the agreement, a commercial mall would come up at 1.06 acres of land where the old bus stand is situated. An investment of Rs 15 to 20 crore is proposed in the project, which would also house a multiplex.

The NCCL will build, operate, maintain and transfer (BOMT) the property for a period of 30 years. NCCL was selected following an open competitive bidding process. UTC would get annual lease rent of Rs 1.08 crore during the entire concession period from NCCL.

Apart from public facilities, UTC would also get an office space of at least 7,500 sq feet of carpet area.

When contacted, Infrastructure Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Joshi said the government was trying hard to revive all these projects despite various bottlenecks. “We have been holding a series of meetings. I hope, all these projects would start shortly,” said Joshi.