Capital Regional Development Authority Act fails river protection in Andhra Pradesh

Environmentalists say that the protection of the Krishna River should have been a part of the CRDA Act as government is building a river-front capital, and in all likelihood, pollution of the river and encroachments would be major concerns.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has lake and heritage wings that work on these issues. Building permissions are granted by the GHMC based on the recommendations and clearances from heritage wing of the HMDA.

Apart from the core city of Thullur and Mangalagiri, that has Undavalli caves and heritage temples, Vijayawada and Guntur, which too are part of the region, host several heritage structures.

M.C. Das, general secretary of Society for History and Culture of Vijayawada, said, “With capital coming here, there would be quick development and many heritage sites will be destroyed.”