Dehradun: With the union forest ministry giving its approval to the Song dam drinking water project, the last hurdle is cleared to solve the problem of drinking water for Dehradun city and its adjoining area.
The union forest ministry has approved the transfer of 127 hectare of forest land for the construction of this dam. The construction of this dam will not only ensure the drinking water supply to Dehradun city, but it is meant to benefit the farmers also. This is a multipurpose project serving water supply, irrigation, tourism development, hydro-power generation, and supply of groundwater tables.
State government to give 257 hectares of civil land for afforestation
Earlier, the state government had sent a proposal to the centre seeking approval for the transfer of 127-hectare forest land to the “Jal Sansthan” for the Song dam drinking water project. The project was sanctioned in-principle on January 5, 2021. With the approval of the union forest ministry for the transfer of the required forest land, there is no hurdle now in the way of the construction of this dam. As per the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, the state government will have to give 257 hectares of civil land for afforestation.
The project is important for Dehradun city
The Song dam drinking water project is important for the Dehradun city which continues to face the problem of drinking water. In the city, the situation becomes worse during the summer season when discharge of the rivers reduces. Remarkably, the city is on the country’s tourist map. Besides, the pilgrims who arrive in Uttarakhand for Char Dham Yatra, also prefer to stay in Dehradun. This always puts a tremendous pressure on the necessary amenities, particularly drinking water, to be provided to the public. This prompted the government to propose the construction of the dam. The project envisages a dam of about 148.25 in height, one powerhouse of 6.0 mw installed capacity near village Kumalda.
Centre also clear hurdle in the widening of Shivpuri-Jajal Road
Meanwhile, the centre has also cleared the hurdle in making a double lane road between Shivpuri to Jajal under the Narendra Nagar assembly seat. The centre has given approval to transfer 4.69-hectare land for the non-forest uses. Earlier, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had made an announcement for the widening of this road. Apart from the locals, the pilgrims will also get benefits from the widening of the road during Char Dham Yatra season.
