When I think about Dehradun in 2035, I do not begin with a skyline. I begin with an ordinary family’s day.
Can children reach school safely? Can an elderly resident walk to a nearby park? Does water arrive reliably? Can a young professional find meaningful work without leaving the city?
For me, these questions should define our ambition.
India’s Smart Cities Mission framework identifies water supply, sanitation, mobility, affordable housing and a sustainable environment among its core infrastructure priorities. These are established policy objectives. My view is that Dehradun’s progress should be judged by how consistently residents experience them.
I would like to see a simple public scorecard for the city: reliable water, functioning drainage, accessible footpaths, dependable public transport, maintained green spaces and timely resolution of civic complaints.
Each priority should have a responsible agency, a deadline and a visible record of progress. Announcing a project should begin the accountability process; completing and maintaining it should determine success.
As someone involved in development, I believe our industry must accept its share of responsibility. A project’s contribution extends beyond its boundary wall. Access, waste, water, parking and the surrounding neighbourhood deserve attention from the beginning.
I also want Dehradun’s growth to create opportunity for people who already live here. A city should offer room for teachers, healthcare workers, shopkeepers and young entrepreneurs alongside new residents and investors.
Looking towards 2035 is an invitation to make better choices today. We should ask what each decision adds to daily life—and what burden it leaves for the next generation.
My hope is straightforward: a Dehradun where prosperity is visible in the ease of living, and where development strengthens the character that makes the city worth choosing.
Authoritative reference
Ministry of Urban Development — Smart Cities Mission framework. The 2035 vision and proposed scorecard are personal opinions.