‘Illegal constructions on Mall Road besmirching its beauty’

MUSSOORIE: Rampant illegal construction along the Mall Road is spoiling the beauty of the hill town, allege residents and activists.

RTI activist Rakesh Aggarwal cited the case of a hotel currently under reconstruction and claimed there are a number of irregularities in the building.

"Through RTI, I found that the building was in residential use before 1980. Therefore, permission for reconstruction of this building as a commercial property should not have been given,” Aggarwal said. He alleged that the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) gave the nod for the building's reconstruction as a commercial property with 80 rooms.

He pointed out that according to MDDA bylaws, every new construction has to be at least 3 metres below the Mall Road in order to protect the view of the Doon valley. "This hotel has violated this norm and its roof is only 2.19 metres below the road which is illegal," Aggarwal alleged.

Although MDDA officials said a challan has been issued against this construction, residents claimed the work is still going on.

MDDA secretary M S Barnia told TOI he would send a team to inspect the building and take necessary action in case of violation.

Meanwhile, green activists alleged that in some cases, rampant construction had engulfed the trees, not only endangering them, but also spoiling the view.

“A large cafe chain recently came up in an illegal building which engulfs a large tree and a hotel building near the Picture Palace has also been built around several oak trees," said Nidhi Bahuguna, a resident and an activist.

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