The pending budget of Rs  1206.80 lakh is yet to be released by the State administration in order for Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) to resume the pending construction work of 148 flats at Kathbungla meant for relocation of slum dwellers.

The revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) was sent to the state administration earlier by MCD on July 15 this year. However, till now the budget approval is pending from the administration level. According to the municipal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey all the flats are partially finished. The work will be resumed as soon as the funding is approved.

Meanwhile, if sources are to be believed, the approval for the funding has been put on hold by the State administration because the area at Kathbungla where the construction of flats is ongoing is not geologically secure as the site is vulnerable to overflow of water from the nearby Rispana river. Responding to this, the municipal commissioner said, “As per the directions of estimates committee of the Assembly we gave the investigation on the matter to the geological department. If they say that the area is inhabitable we will stop the construction.” According to the sources, already about 20 crore has been invested in the project. If after the investigation report the project is stopped, MCD will be facing tremendous loss.

It is also pertinent to mention here that the flats in Kathbungla were being constructed to house dwellers of slums in the city. However, since the start, this work has faced various hiccups. Observers point out that the authorities too do not appear serious to ensure shifting of slum dwellers to such dwellings considering the protracted delays in completion of one project where multiple projects are needed for relocation of the residents of more than 100 slums in Dehradun.