A highly debated road project in Dehradun now faces a major delay, as the Uttarakhand High Court steps in to halt its progress. This urgent stop comes after widespread worries from local families about being forced out of their homes. Many residents fear losing their land to make way for the ambitious construction, which aims to ease city traffic but has sparked public anger for months. The court’s ruling leaves thousands of lives in limbo and casts a large shadow over the future of the controversial plan.
About the Project
A major road building plan in Dehradun, aimed at reducing traffic in the city, has faced a stop order from the High Court. The plan involves building elevated roads, about 26 kilometers long, over the Rispana and Bindal rivers. These two roads are meant to make travel quicker, especially towards Mussoorie. The project has an estimated cost of around 6,500 crore rupees. Authorities have stated that these new roads will help ease the city’s traffic problems.
Worries About People’s Homes
The main worry for many people is that this road project will take away their homes. Thousands of families living along the riverbeds in various parts of Dehradun could be affected. Reports say that up to 2,600 households might have to move. Many of these families have lived in these areas for a long time, some for 50 years. They are daily wage earners and others who have built their lives in these settlements. The thought of losing their homes and having an uncertain future is a big concern for them. People are worried about how many homes are in the path of the project and if they will be left without a roof over their heads.
Legal Steps Taken by Citizens
People who will be affected, along with social groups, have taken their concerns to the Uttarakhand High Court. A public interest case was filed by Anoop Nautiyal, who runs the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation. He argued that proper rules were not followed when looking into how the project would affect people and the environment. The case also brought up worries about many people losing their homes and the damage to the environment.
Court’s Recent Decision
The Uttarakhand High Court has stepped in and ordered a pause on some project activities. The court directed the local official in Dehradun to stop public hearings for the project until August 25. This decision came after it was found that a report about the project’s social impact was not made public three weeks before the hearings, as required by law. The court noted that the report was uploaded on August 2, making the earliest allowed date for a hearing August 23. The next court hearing on this matter is set for September 4. The High Court stressed that for forest land, the government must get official clearance. for private land, they must properly announce the plan to buy it, giving people a chance to object. The court has also questioned the need for such a large project, especially when it could harm the river environment. People have expressed concern that putting pillars in the river to build these elevated roads would surely affect the river’s nature.
Voices of the People
Those who might lose their homes are feeling stressed and unsure about what will happen next. Sunita Devi, a daily wage earner, said that people have not had good sleep since officials started marking houses for removal. They constantly worry about someone showing up to break down their homes. Shankar Gopal from Chetna Andolan, a group working with daily wage earners, said that the court’s order offers some relief, even though people are still in the dark about many details. He said the main demand from residents is for a proper plan to help those who are moved, so they can find new places to live. Without such a plan, thousands face a future where they don’t know where they will go. Another social activist, Kamla Pant from Uttarakhand Mahila Manch, stated that while people in Uttarakhand need relief from traffic issues, the solution should not be to build highways and flyovers that threaten rivers and move thousands of people. The Dehradun Citizens Forum (DCF), a group of concerned residents, has also raised concerns about the lack of public involvement in planning this project. They said there was no insights in the public area. citizens did not have access to essential reports about the project and its environmental impact.
“We have not had a good night’s sleep since the authorities began identifying and marking houses. We were constantly worried someone would show up to demolish our house. We don’t know how many homes lie in the project’s path or how many of us will be left without a roof. At least now, with the court’s intervention, we may get some answers,” said Sunita Devi, a daily wager.
“The primary demand from residents is for a rehabilitation policy so that those displaced can be relocated. Without it, they said, thousands face an uncertain future,” said Shankar Gopal from Chetna Andolan.
Government’s Standpoint
Officials involved with the project maintain that the goal is to ease traffic in Dehradun. The Public Works Department (PWD) stated that the elevated corridor is planned because of increasing traffic and a lack of space to widen existing roads. They believe this will reduce traffic jams in Dehradun. But, they also stated that specific details cannot be provided until the project is complete. The government has said that the project is crucial for the city’s progress and to help with traffic. They plan to buy about 88 hectares of land, impacting 26 localities. The court’s ruling will require them to ensure all legal steps are followed, especially concerning land acquisition and sharing data with the public.
What Happens Next
The High Court has put a temporary stop to the public hearings until August 25, giving affected people and groups a chance to get more clarity. The next court hearing for this case is scheduled for September 4. This pause gives time for authorities to possibly share more details, including a full project report and insights on who exactly will be moved. Citizens and activists hope this will lead to more transparency and a clear plan for those who might lose their homes. The court’s decision shows that fair process and the rights of people, especially those who might be moved, are essential. The future of the road project will depend on how the government addresses the concerns raised by the court and the affected people. 
