The Hindu : New Delhi News : Objection raised to selection of heliport site near Akshardham

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Friday, May 30, 2008
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Objection raised to selection of heliport site near Akshardham

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Union Government’s plan to construct a heliport near the sprawling new Akshardham Temple on the Yamuna floodplains in the Capital has set off a wave of concern among activists fighting to save the grand old river. Reacting to the Central Government’s statement that a suitable location was being sought near the Akshardham Temple for construction of the heliport, members of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan have written to Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna to draw attention to the destruction of natural resource that the proposed construction would cause.

Seeking the L-G’s intervention, the YJA members said the proposed construction would be in violation of a moratorium on any new construction on the riverbed. “If such a thing is allowed to go ahead then it would be in clear violation of not only a moratorium on any new construction on the riverbed but also undermine the ongoing judicial process at the Delhi High Court where any construction on the riverbed/floodplain has been challenged.”

Mr. Khanna is chairman of the Yamuna Committee appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The YJA has also urged the L-G to put off any construction activity on the floodplains unless the detailed studies on the issue commissioned by the L-G’s office are received and a proper zonal plan is arrived at after extensive public consultation and participation.

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