Dehradun Beautification Project Draws Praise and Exclusion Concerns.

For over a month, Dehradun has been undergoing a significant beautification drive at four of its major landmarks. However, while the projects aim to enhance the city's appeal, a growing number of residents are expressing dissatisfaction, citing a familiar pattern of being excluded from the planning process.

Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) is spearheading the landscaping and beautification efforts at Dilaram Chowk, Clock Tower, Sai Mandir Chowk, and Kuthal Gate. Additionally, drainage upgrades are underway at the ISBT. Officials estimate the total cost of these projects to be around ₹10 crore, with a stated goal of transforming public spaces with modular designs to improve cleanliness and attract tourists. Sources reveal that these projects were specifically assigned to DSCL to utilize remaining funds before the Smart Cities Mission was dissolved on March 31 of this year.

However, the initiative has drawn sharp criticism from local activists and civic bodies. "Extensive beautification was already carried out just a year and a half ago for the Global Investors' Summit, costing taxpayers lakhs. Now we're starting from scratch again instead of maintaining existing work. This is a blatant misuse of resources," stated social activist Anoop Nautiyal.

Nautiyal also highlighted the glaring absence of public engagement in the planning stages. "Citizen involvement was completely absent from the process. If plans were shared publicly, feedback and suggestions could be included. Lakhs were spent to build Brahmakamal Chowk, only to dismantle it later. The Clock Tower has undergone multiple redesigns in recent years. This culture of working in silos is disappointing, and authorities must change their mindset," he added, emphasizing the need for transparent and collaborative development.

Despite these concerns, administrative officials maintain that the revamped landmarks will incorporate local "pahadi" aesthetics and contribute to smoother traffic flow with the introduction of new slip roads and signals. Tirath Pal, ACEO of DSCL, confirmed, "Most of the work will be done by the end of June." Following these projects, the only major active Smart City initiative remaining in Dehradun is the ₹206 crore Green Building initiative.

Meanwhile, civic bodies have also voiced their reservations, particularly concerning the Clock Tower area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). A senior DMC official, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about potential coordination and maintenance issues. "Multiple agencies working independently often lead to coordination and maintenance issues, as we've seen with previous projects," the official noted, underscoring the challenges of fragmented project management.

The ongoing beautification work thus presents a mixed picture, balancing aesthetic improvements and urban development goals against community concerns about public participation and the optimal use of public funds.