NGT Compliance Urged For Amaravati Reconstruction

Visakhapatnam: Former IAS officer and social activist EAS Sarma on Monday urged the Andhra Pradesh government to obtain the necessary environmental clearances, as directed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), before proceeding with the reconstruction of Amaravati as the State's capital.

In a representation to Chief Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad, the former government of India Secretary said APCRDA has obtained a project report on deepening and widening of Kondaveeti Vagu and Pala Vagu within the Amaravati area with a view to contain floods, based on studies conducted by a domestic and overseas consultants and it is likely to take up works at a cost of Rs 2,060 crore.

He said despite several reminders, APCRDA has deliberately or otherwise remained in non-compliance with the conditions stipulated by the NGT, including the setting up of an independent Supervisory Committee and independent Implementation Committee.