Saturday, 12 August 2017

Strict Dos and Don’ts needed for the proposed Convention Centre in Doon

It is heartening to learn that there is an international standard Convention Centre being planned in the Doon Valley by the State government. While this will be an asset not only for Dehradun and Uttarakhand but even for the country being close to world-renowned pilgrimage, tourist, ayurveda and yoga centres Haridwar and Rishikesh besides the Queen of Hills Mussoorie. However, on the back of this there are many Dos and Don’ts and intrinsic planning needed if the government really wants this project to shine Uttarakhand globally and their reputation and prove what they plan of an international scale convention centre.

The new Rawat Government is promoting Uttarakhand as an international destination not only for tourists but business community alike. Towards this end professional approach is must to carve out a place for the State on professional lines to reach out to the world. While government’s willingness to support a project is important that alone will not do. What is really important is professional backing and countless other things needed to run establishments as important as an international standard Convention Centre.

It might sound simple setting up of a convention centre, but many things go in to make it a successful venture that too if planned on an international scale. For such massive projects besides professional advice the government be willing to also take in good views from every quarter and especially from people who have exposure of visiting some of the leading convention centre’s around the world to share their views on the basic amenities and services that they may have experienced and that are a must in making a complete convention centre. Towards this the government planners have to shun off their attitude of “know all” and be ready first with big ears.

Being audience to a discussion by a group of people the other day on governments plans to set up an international standard convention centre here, I was speechless and utterly dismayed to gather from the talks of a few, who were a learned lot, few influential from the government and business and many with deep pockets. This lot felt that in the coming time big family functions will be easy to organize in Dehradun. Who matters for the price was a general feeling expressed by the group. Nodding my head in non connivance with their thoughts, I gathered the plot for my piece of writing. Thank you guys!

So friends, the point that I gathered from the discussion was simple yet a severe one that may have far-reaching and disastrous results if not addressed properly. The very mind-set of people looking at a convention centre as a future place for large family gatherings and its other similar use is the big question.

The first and the biggest of all the Dos and Don’ts that I want to stress specially after listening to my so-called learned friends mentioned is the worry that the proposed Centre does not take the shape of a spacious “Bharat Ghar” or “Community Centre” by the influential. No wedding ceremonies of anyone be allowed there. Purely business convention or similar other activities that does not lower its decorum and décor be allowed. Pity if this does not happen!

The Government may strictly adhere to the Convention Centre’s charter of professional functioning and decorum. The influential refrained from meddling with the day-to-day affairs of the Centre. It is the constant interference of the influential lot for self motives that drains out energy of professionals and the project making it mediocre or non-existent in due course. Too many cooks be avoided as it will only spoil the broth. The functioning should thus be handled by some internationally renowned and experienced group of professionals or convention centre operating chain who know the business of upkeep of such projects. Letting out the project in professional hands can generate good revenue for the State.

Another big issue the government and the planners have to keep in mind very clear and straight is for Gods sake not to shove in this project in the city limits which unfortunately is already over congested and gasping for fresh air as a result of increased vehicular pollution, rising population and inadequate support infrastructure.

Unfortunately since Uttarakhand formed in the year 2000 most of the government establishments and even Vidhan Sabha along with housing for the increased population have all been made to accommodate in the old city limits leading to utter chaos. Good it would have been if the limits of the Doon extended to accommodate the new entrants to the town. In the name of development the silly planners have so far already bulldozed most part of the heritage town of the Doon for poor planning knowing nothing of its past culture. The left over heritage too is counting its days at the hands of the so-called development creating hell!

A good mantra for the success of government’s planning will be to “Go beyond limits”. So long we do not unbound our limits we cannot progress beyond a point but rather deteriorate even what we have in present. I hope you have the point that I am trying to make. Go beyond limits of the city to carve out something new, worth adorable and not axe the past of this heritage town. Planners don’t mess the already messy town it is now in. Well! Poor and unsystematic development is another big issue that has many debatable angles to it. I will refrain from blubbering more on it at this point.

Equally important other than the points already discussed, for a convention centre of international standards it is not simply its building infrastructure that counts, more importantly the roads leading to it are. Its vicinity to the airport connected with efficient public transport and cabs to the city, stared hotels around and ample parking space are the wholesome package that goes in making a true convention centre. Visualize a scenario where absence of basic but important facilities guests coming from abroad running hither thither for their stay, looking for efficient transport or battling the jams and snarling traffic on roads to reach the destination and on reaching the destination face parking problem. No one will dare to come the second time to such a place. Additionally the message spread through the word of mouth will be still graver in size to stop others from coming here. So a good convention centre project cannot be seen in isolation. There are many facilities that go in its success. There cannot be a compromise of basic facilities and features as discussed.

To substantiate to what has just been said there is no denying that presently commuting from the town (Capital of the State) to the Jolly Grant airport, a stretch of just 26-27 kilometers takes around one hour. The long time taken to reach the airport is due to patchy roads, ongoing and unplanned constructions blocking passage coupled with road widening project hindering traffic and not completed even after years of toil is pitiful. These situations in the case of the proposed international convention centre project be averted. New approach roads carved out first before the government's dream project unfurled.

The point that I am trying to make here is when a project like an airport (basic transport lifeline) confronted with situation like improper roads leading to it or lack of good and efficient public transport connecting it to the town how can a project like a convention centre which has absolutely no comparison or equality with that of an airport be run efficiently with absence of the features as pointed out?

The NITI Aayog, the government body providing final go ahead to the project must take all these factors into account before according permission to the State for such a venture. If these issues neglected it mar the project.

Doonites eagerly look forward to an international standard convention centre in the valley but with all the facilities without disturbing the present eco-system and infrastructure fabric of the already over-crowded city. Disturbing the present set-up of the town to accommodate yet another big project within its choked limits will be a deliberate attempt that will lead to utter chaos and roads no where.

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