The project has not even reached the stage of applying for environmental clearance
.gif "No green clearances for Amaravati yet")
Representational image
Vijayawada: While the AP government is projecting that it is about to start building its world-class capital, in reality, the process of securing land is still underway and the master plan is yet to be finalised.
The project to build Amaravati has not even reached the stage of applying for environmental clearance, revealed a counter affidavit submitted by the AP government to the National Green Tribunal recently in response to a PIL filed by one P. Srimannarayana.
Mr Srimannarayana had filed the PIL in the Supreme Court against the AP government, the Union forest ministry and others concerned stating that the flood plain of the river Krishna and adjoining fertile agricultural lands and wetlands were being threatened due to development activity.
The NGT accepted the PIL on May 27. On July 27, the principal bench, including two judicial members and two experts, asked the respondents, including the AP government, to reply.
APCRDA commissioner N. Srikant said that the Capital City Infrastructure Development Project would be undertaken only once all requisite environmental clearances had been obtained.
The counter affidavit stated: “There is only a proposed master plan, for which no prior environmental clearance is required. The stage for environmental clearance has not yet arrived.”
No threat to Amaravati from quakes, says AP:
AP will rely on advanced technology to reduce the threat of earthquakes to the new capital. Replying to concerns over Amaravati being located in a seismic zone, CRDA commissioner N. Srikant said the city is at minimal risk from earthquakes. “With advancement in building and construction technology, it can be safely said that there will be least risk to this area. The susceptibility is substantially less when compared to cities including Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh,” he said.
A petition in the SC has raised various concerns over the new capital, including the threat from natural disasters. The government’s counter affidavit alleged that the concerns were premature and misleading.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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