Dehradun: The campaign to transform Dehradun into a slum-free city has gathered pace under the leadership of District Magistrate Savin Bansal. Inspired by the vision and sentiments of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the District Magistrate convened a high-level meeting on Saturday at the Rishiparna Auditorium to discuss concrete steps for the rehabilitation and relocation of slum dwellers.
Officials from key departments—including the Municipal Corporation, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Irrigation Department, and other concerned agencies—participated in the meeting.
During the session, the District Magistrate directed officials to identify all informal settlements in the city, particularly those situated along the Bindal and Rispana rivers. He instructed that an updated list of 88 slum clusters—those existing before and after 2016—be submitted within five days. Additionally, the MDDA has been asked to furnish a detailed report on all viable land parcels suitable for rehabilitation purposes.
“Making Dehradun slum-free is not just a goal—it is our commitment,” said Bansal. “The residents of these settlements are an integral part of our community. It is our duty to ensure they are provided with safe housing, dignity, and access to essential services.”
Focus on Rehabilitation and Environmental Sustainability
Addressing the issue of encroachment, the District Magistrate emphasized that any removal of unauthorized settlements along riverbanks would be conducted strictly in compliance with court directives. Simultaneously, efforts will be made to relocate the affected families under the existing rehabilitation policy, ensuring continuity in livelihood, education, and overall well-being.
Plans are also underway to construct elevated corridors—11 km along the Rispana River and 15 km along the Bindal River. These corridors will include the relocation of utilities such as sewer lines, power cables, and high-tension lines from the riverbed. In addition, retaining walls, flood protection infrastructure, and riverfront beautification will be carried out to enhance the urban environment.
“This Is Our Resolution, Not an Impossibility” – Bansal
Calling for a mindset shift among officials, the District Magistrate urged departments to overcome bureaucratic inertia. “The idea that slum removal is impossible is a result of our past indifference,” he said. “The time has come for all departments to collaborate and implement a practical, ground-level action plan.”
Key Officials in Attendance:
The meeting was attended by ADM Finance and Revenue K.K. Mishra, Additional Municipal Commissioner Hemant Kumar Verma, City Magistrate Pratyush Singh, Deputy Municipal Commissioner Gopal Ram Binwal, Irrigation Superintending Engineer Sharad Srivastava, DGC Nitin Vishisht, Atul Gupta and Nitin Gupta from MDDA, EDM Harendra Sharma, and several other senior officials from allied departments.
