The Hindu : New Delhi News : L-G to take up Yamuna issue with higher authorities

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Saturday, Oct 06, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

L-G to take up Yamuna issue with higher authorities

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Making no promises to shift the venue of the Commonwealth Games Village from the Yamuna floodplains, Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna on Friday assured activists campaigning to save the river that he would convey the idea of “temporary structures” to the authorities concerned.

Addressing a delegation of Yamuna satyagrahis led by veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar and “Waterman” Rajender Singh, Mr. Khanna said he was equally concerned about the state of the river, but could not assure a change in venue.

“Mr. Khanna said while he cannot make a commitment on the issue of changing the site for construction of the Games Village, he would take up the matter of temporary construction of the Games Village with the higher decision making authorities,” said Diwan Singh of Yamuna Satyagraha.

“The Lieutenant-Governor said the question of permanent constructions on the riverbed is a matter of serious concern and wants to see a clean, flowing Yamuna,” he added.

The satyagrahis also expressed concern that construction of the Games Village at the chosen site would incur heavy expenses at the cost of public exchequer and this would ultimately benefit the private bodies or individuals who would buy these properties after the 10-day event is over.

Bridges

“The members also raised the point that all bridges except the old railway bridge are actually raised roads and not bridges for most of their lengths. The portion under which water can pass through is not more than 500 metres in most of these so called bridges. This stops the river from meandering on the floodplain and consequently, we lose the benefit we can get out of floodwater recharge,” Mr. Singh said.

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