The heat wave is once again being seen rapidly in Dehradun city. In such a situation, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority has started its preparations in view of greenery, improvement in groundwater level etc.
In this sequence, on Saturday, an important meeting was called by Authority Vice President Mr. Banshidhar Tiwari in the presence of Architect and Draftsman Association, Map Cell and senior officials. In the meeting, necessary guidelines were issued by the Vice President on various points.
The Vice President said that it is often seen that in the maps being passed by the Authority, provision of rain water harvesting is seen in the map, but this rule is not being followed by many people on the spot. He expected the Architect and Draftsman Association to work towards making people aware in this direction so that the groundwater level can be prevented from falling. He said that it should be ensured that people compulsorily make recharge pits along with rain water harvesting so that the expected improvement in groundwater can be brought.
The Vice President also expected that special attention should be paid to greenery in the new projects being built and maximum fruit and shade trees should be planted there. Also, in such projects, solar energy should be used as much as possible for street lights and other electrical equipment so that energy conservation can also be done.
The Vice President said that those who are constructing new buildings should be encouraged to leave as much open area in the building as possible and to use interlocking tiles. This will also help in groundwater conservation. The Vice President told that wherever the authority is constructing roads and drains, at present, the road is being left unpaved on both sides with this intention so that groundwater can be recharged through them during the rainy season.
*Plantation should be done on no man’s land*
In the meeting, the Vice President also expected cooperation from various builders and architects that they should plant trees on no man’s land (land which is lying vacant). Also, he suggested to the architects to design the south facing wall in hotels, schools, group housing etc. in a heat resistant manner. Secretary Mr. Mohan Singh Barniya, Joint Secretary Mr. Gaurav Chatwal, Chief Engineer SC Rana and other officials were present in the meeting.
*Green building standards should be strictly followed*
The Vice President said that all the green buildings approved by the authority in the city are given special exemption in FAR. He said that compliance of standards in green buildings should be ensured at all costs. For this, he also instructed to coordinate with the concerned departments. He said that strict action will be taken against violation of green building standards.
Suggestions taken from architects
In the meeting, the Vice President sought suggestions from architects and draftsmen, on which he termed the labor cess as excessive and demanded concession in it. Along with this, a demand was made to collect labour cess and other fees together with the development fee to be levied after map approval, on which the Vice President assured to make amendments in this matter after talks with the government.
