The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Metro rail project receives flak

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Friday, Oct 08, 2010
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Metro rail project receives flak

Staff Reporter

Civil societies criticise State for ignoring public hearing plea

HYDERABAD: The Chairman of Supreme Court's Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), Bhure Lal on Thursday asked for the voice of civil societies and voluntary groups to be heard and an opportunity provided to express their concerns about the Hyderabad Metro Rail project.

At a workshop ‘Hyderabad City Dialogue on Air Quality and Transportation Challenge: An Agenda for Action' held here, several civil society and voluntary group representatives launched a vociferous tirade against the government for ignoring their criticisms about the mega project and not holding even a public hearing to elicit opinion from stakeholders.

Following this, the EPCA Chairman asked officials to have an interaction with the civil societies on the project. “I feel people have strong reservations about Metro Rail,” he remarked. On complaints about lack of space and facilities for pedestrians in the city, Mr.Bhure Lal told the officials concerned to ensure that existing footpaths are maintained properly and while taking up new roads, facility is provided for the pedestrians and cyclists.

Anumita Roychowdhury of Centre for Science and Environment said that roads were being built only for 9 per cent of the section using cars while the majority was being ignored. Those who participated included Madhusudhan Rao, APPCB Member Secretary, P.M.Bhargava, former director, CCMB, C.Ramachandraiah, Centre for Economy and Social Studies and Kanthi Kannan, The Right to Walk Foundation.

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