While the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) is planning to set up an illuminated fountain for the beautification of Clock Tower, experts and concerned citizens state that instead of such gaudy and impractical features, planting trees is more beneficial and cheaper option. Building an illuminated fountain which would display its full features only after sunset and may also prove to be a traffic distraction in the already crowded and polluted Clock Tower area appears to be a questionable plan, according to experts.
The municipal corporation is currently working on the site at Clock Tower where the work to set up the fountain is underway. According to
Dehradun municipal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, an LED water fountain will be set with the purpose of beautifying the Clock Tower. Recently, the MCD built a separate platform surrounding the Peepal tree beside a large platform for the installation of the fountain. Many were speculating that MCD is probably planning to cut down the historical tree which was planted by Sarojini Naidu in 1952. Also, the area of traffic island has been considerably reduced too. Responding to these apprehensions, one of the engineers from the corporation working on this project stated that since it was proving difficult to give a proper round shape to the fountain’s platform with the tree inside, two separate platforms were constructed. Talking about the reduction of the traffic island area, officials informed that the decision of reducing the area of traffic island was taken after discussing it with traffic department, PWD officials, and municipal commissioner.
However, heritage expert and independent director at Dehradun Smart City Limited, Lokesh Ohri expressed concern over the beautification of Clock Tower by MCD. He opined that plantation of trees and flowering plants would be a better way to beautify the place. The water fountains need maintenance after the construction and in most of the cases, such fountains are not maintained well by management that later gives the area a dull and ugly appearance, stated Ohri. He added that the reduction of traffic island can cause more traffic congestion besides increasing the chances of damaging the aesthetics near Clock Tower.
Other concerned citizens also pointed out that vehicular pollution is a major problem in the Clock Tower area so planting specific species of trees and flowering plants would be a much more beneficial way of beautifying the site.
Meanwhile, MCD officials informed that the Clock Tower beautification project is funded by ONGC and it will be completed in two months provided the work does not get affected due to any reason.
