Dehradun: Residents in lane L of Chander Lok Colony in Salawala ward woke up to construction materials blocking the entire road on Friday morning. A video of the sight was circulated widely on social media, with residents questioning civic sense.“It was a surprise for the 10-12 families along this lane. The entire approach was blocked by construction material. When we contacted the resident, they told us that the contractor was at fault and dumped the material at night. It is now being cleared. Not many faced difficulties as we then opened all gates in the locality,” said Jagmohan Chopra, an area resident.Councillor Bhupinder Kathait told TOI the matter was taken up with authorities.
“The maps for construction were approved by MDDA. They visited the site and residents are resolving the issue amicably. The material is being cleared from the approach road,” he said.A resident took to social media, questioning the poor neighbourly conduct. But the issue highlighted a much larger concern for many.“MDDA has now approved double basements, a stilt parking and up to four-storey houses to be built in residential areas.
That’s seven storeys in total. The amount of construction that has already been underway and more that will follow is unimaginable. Why are such maps being approved for old localities that are already losing their peace,” asked Chopra.Others highlighted the concerns that already surfaced at the time when the new draft of the masterplan was released in March 2023.“Allowing mixed land use (commercial with residential) was a huge problem.
What we are seeing now is a precursor to what is to follow. The level of construction that is happening across the city is unprecedented. MDDA should make its map approval process more exhaustive and a neighbourhood’s essence should also be factored in,” said Dinesh Jiyal, a Hathibarkala resident.Meanwhile, officials of MDDA said that the site visit was carried out on Friday morning following complaints from area residents, following which the material is being cleared, though no concrete action has been taken against the resident so far.“Maps are being approved after a thorough probe. Only along a 30-foot road can a four-storey house be built. The approval process is exhaustive,” said Sunil Kumar, an engineer with MDDA.Officials also said that extensive action is being regularly taken against any structures found to be built without proper documents and approvals.
