NGT Stops AP Government From Changing Kondaveedu Course In Amaravati Capital Area

While refusing to interfere with the environmental clearance given to Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed two committees --a supervisory committee and an implementation committee -- to monitor work on the project site of Amaravati. The works would be reviewed on a monthly basis, the NGT said.

Responding to a plea by activist P Srimannarayan, E A S Sarma and others, the NGT, comprising Justices Swatantar Kumar, Raghuvendra Rathore and Bikram Singh Sajwan, had directed Andhra Pradesh government not to carry out any operation to clear the land falling in the project area without obtaining environmental clearance to the project. Though it said last year that there was no stay on construction activity for the proposed capital on the banks of the Krishna , it also made it clear that continuation of the project would be subject to final decision of the Tribunal and the orders already passed by it.

It also said that nothing that alters the flow of Kondaveedu rivulet should be taken up and that the river bunds should not be altered.

The petition claimed the site is a flood-prone area and the state government had not considered the ecological and environmental aspects of the project while selecting the location for the greenfield capital city. The petitioners have made Ministries of Environment and Forests, Urban Development and Water Resources, AP government and Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) parties in the case.

It sought directions to constitute an expert committee to analyse the environmental and social aspects associated with the areas identified for development of the capital city.

Petitioner, RK Hail Verdict

Environmental activist Srimannarayan hailed the NGT verdict and said that this was a step in the right direction. He said the verdict barring any changes in the Kondaveedu stream flow would save 15000 acres of land. Mangalagiri MLA and YSRCP leader Alla Ramakrishna Reddy said the verdict was a slap on the face of Chandrababu Naidu government.