Uttaranchal debates choice for capital

Uttaranchal debates choice for capital
S.M.A. KAZMI

DEHRA DUN, AUG 24: An intense debate has been on in the entire Uttaranchal region on choosing the capital for the new state.

The debate has picked up in anticipation of the separate hill state by November 1 following passage of the bill for creation of the state in Parliament. The debate on choosing the right place for the capital has been raging in regional newspapers.

The two main contenders for the capital are the Garhwal and Kumoan regions. While Nainital is the choice of the people of Kumoan, Dehra dun is preferredby the Garhwalis. Arguments for and against the two major cities of the new state are common.

Besides being the divisional headquarter of Kumoan, Nainital which was the summer capital of the Britishers, is a front runner in the race. But it is argued that the availability of large space and buildings would be a major constraint in Nainital.

On the other hand, Dehra dun with several prestigious national institutions and buildings and enough space to cater to the needs of a capital too has a strong case. But most of the Uttarakhandi agitationists and regional political parties want that none of these two cities should be the capital.

They want that the capital be built at Garsain, which is on the border of Garhwal and Kumoan. The BJP, the major political party expected to form the government in the new state, has steered clear of the controversy. Party leaders, including its Central leaders, had maintained that the decision regarding the choice of the capital would be taken by the interim assembly ofthe state.

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and several other organisations want the capital to be at Garsain to avoid any ill-will between the people of Garhwal and Kumoan. Garsain is at equal distance from both the regions. They have threatened to launch an agitation in case Garsain was not chosen as the capital. One of the forums for women had taken out a procession here in support of their demand.

Environmentalists, however, feel that building a new capital in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region could be harmful. They argue that the capital should be at Dehra dun or Nainital, which would save the huge investment required.

There has been talk about the conversion of a portion of the famous Forest Research Institute (FRI) building at Dehra dun into the Uttaranchal Assembly.Others want that the capital should be in the plains of Kalagarh in UdhamSingh Nagar district. With the inclusion of Hardwar district in the new state, there are voices demanding that the holy city be named as the capital.