Draft Master Plan 2041 of Dehradun of around 310 pages has been issued by Mussoorie Dehra Development Authority (MDDA) vide Public Notice published in various newspapers which invites citizens and societies, groups etc. to register their objections and also suggestions on the same by 30 April 2023. It is irony that the release of Draft Master Plan has been delayed significantly and in the elapsed period, Dehradun has already miserably lost its pristine greenery, mango & litchi orchards ,canal network, fertile rice & agricultural fields, heritage structures and also mountains, rivers & ravines have been encroached, with rampant waste, traffic jams, higher level of pollution and AQI and many more threats to its ecology.

Draft Master Plan is still not able to project clear vision to the state of Dehradun in 2041 and it is apprehended that If implemented in the present mode, it would create further enhanced adverse ecological impact and more chaos in Dehradun which is already reeling under lot of pressure on various accounts such as increasing population, traffic, removal of pristine greenery, stress on natural resources, destruction of heritage marvels,  no parking space, waste, sanitation, safety concern due to earthquake zone-5 , more heat islands etc.

The present degradation state has been primarily due to multiple times exploitation of carrying capacity of Dehradun which needs to be stopped till careful planning with professional approach is carried out by engaging best talents within India or abroad. However, If this is not considered then  impact may be highly adverse on environment as well as city governance in irreversible manner for future generation which would be living in Dehradun. 

Our demands: 

1. At the outset, since this documents is quite extensive and would play a key role to steer the sustainable future of eco-sensitive Doon valley, it is requested to give further sufficient time to register objections/ suggestions as well as engagement of civil societies, architects, town planners on Dehradun as well as those settled outside by citizens/societies for their enriched opinion. Hence , the date of submission may be extended preferably up to 31st August 2023 for realistic suggestions and valid objections.
   
   Further, New provisions must be introduced in Draft Master Plan-2041 as follows:
   
   
2. It is suggested that for new apartments, housing projects and all major commercial activities such as Shopping malls, High rise buildings, Multiplex cinemas which attract huge numbers of visitors may be planned in a satellite town away from central Dehradun in areas having least greenery which could be connected by expressways/ elevated roads to old Dehradun. All new construction in old town may be completely banned and only brown or old/existing houses/structures allowed to be renovated strictly on green building concept. This would be a better proposition in view of already exhausted carrying capacity of Dehradun in terms of population, vehicles, tourists, commercial & recreational activities and also to mitigate effects of global warming.
   
   
3. As per many research reports, greenery of Dehradun has been drastically reduced due to incessant felling of large trees, mango and litchi orchards, unauthorised construction in interior forests . This trend needs to be reversed  and felling of trees must be strictly banned and a grand tree afforestation must be undertaken by making it a rule in present draft Master Plan.
   
   
4. A time bound plan with appropriate budget be kept for rejuvenating major rivers of Dehradun Rispana and Bindal by planned shifting of slums and removal of major encroachments, making intermittent small catch dams , disconnecting all sewerage disposals , promoting segregation of waste by engaging NGOs in the field, planting & conserving greenery through out the course of rivers with avoidance of concretisation of any kind.
   
   
5. Concretization of open space has to be avoided and an appropriate percentage for porous/pervious space must be made mandatory or else no clearance of map is granted.  
   
   
6. Mixed land Use as contemplated in Draft Master Plan needs to be reviewed thoroughly. Under Clause 16.5 (Broad Land Use Classification)_R1_Built up Residential_ Permitted Activities/ R2 : Following activities are not acceptable in residential zone in view of likely quantum jump in traffic, high decibel noise, more waste generation, parking issues, crimes and disturbed law & order.
   
   
   • Malls, Commercial complexes
   • Multistoried apartments, Renovation and Modification of Existing/ Sanctioned Hostel)
   • Existing/ Sanctioned School,
   • Government Offices/Banks for any width of approach road
   • Religious Buildings etc.
     
     
7. All unique heritage structures in the city need to be identified with the help of reputed heritage architects These must be preserved and restored.
    
8. All roads must be built with minimum 3 m footpath and cycle tracks s to promote walking and cycling and lesser movement of 4-wheelers and provision of underground utility duct. Also no more widening of road is undertaken within the city and tourist destinations may be connected through elevated roads or ring roads through outer Dehradun.
   
   
9. A review and survey may be conducted by MDDA for already constructed/sanctioned commercial activities in residential colony/area on river catchments & sloes which is against the prevailing norms of MDDA and might got approved by probably wrong interpretation of existing rules to suit construction. These all  needs to be demolished in phased manner to create more open space.
   
   
10. Compounding system for illegal construction and regularizing it by compensating it through penalty fee or challan may be scrapped. Instead the illegal construction may be demolished and land recovered at the cost of defaulter agency. This would establish faith on present system and stop further degradation of pristine Doon valley.
    
    
11. NOC (No-Objection Certificate) must be obtained from Executive Committee of that particular colony before commencement of any commercial construction/ activities in any Residential colony/area. MDDA may include this clause specifically in bye-laws too.
    
    
12. Draft Master plan thereupon may be finalized in multiple engagement of experts , town planners, architects and regular feed back of civic bodies instead of just giving one month time of formality . 
    
    Ashish Garg