For sometimes now this "roads on Stilts" makes me feel sad and angry.Are there any other way to control traffic in Chennai,of course there are. But the fact is that we the people will not follow any rules specially the road and transport rules.According to the government the proposed construction of 'elevated" beach expressway along four beaches and 14 fishing villages is to reduce to traffic in Chennai.It will reduce the traffic flow but what cost-at the cost of the lives of those 100,000 fishermen and their families.
Not only human livelihood but also the nature's wonderful gift - the beach's survival is at stake.
Some facts:
Wilbur Smith Associates Private Limited,a corporation which does planning and designing of public infrastructure and transportation facilities(according to its website) came in and did what the typical "big boys" do.In 1990, it prepared a feasibility report and concluded that 'roads on stilts" are possible, even without mentioning the CRZ prohibition of such constructions and without consulting the local people specially the fishermen.Then..
Mr.Jairam Ramesh's letter to National Fishworkers Forum explained that: “Road on stilts [were] retained keeping in view the congestion of the urban sectors in the populated areas of the coast. The road on stilts is primarily to be laid on the mangrove areas which will not affect the tidal inflow and cause minimum destruction to the mangrove area. The road on stilts cannot be equated with projects like express highway etc.” The above statements was to justify the inclusion of 'roads on Stilts' in the 'new" CRZ 2011.The law has been changed to accommodate these changes ,logically, open the doors for 'those' infrastructure/building corporations.
Almost all the major environmental issues were skipped in this new CRZ , more importantly as i mentioned earlier the feasibility study or any government agencies did not meet the people who will be displaced if the construction starts. Moving from the homeland is not easy , it is the most painful part.And as we all know how government keeps the displaced people , take the example of people displaced by Narmada dam construction,they are still fighting for justice.Another looming danger is lives of 'Olive Turtles' , this beautiful creatures unfortunately chose chennai as their nesting ground years before."Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network(SSTCN)" is a voluntary group which every year patrol the beaches during Olive Turtles' breeding season. Watching animals at work is the best way to learn from nature, these students are doing it.The proposed "Elevated Beach Expressway" will damage all these things.
Constructing "roads on stilts" is nothing wrong if it does not affect the livelihood of people.In case of Bangalore , its possible if it runs through current highway .Infosys suggessted that "roads on stilts" can be constructed from Electronic City to the Bangalore City proper.Its better if government thinks it terms of livelihood of people than dollars and cents.Will it?
Click here to checkout the videos about "roads on stilts"
Some facts:
- Under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ),1990, construction of roads near beaches and inter-tidal waves areas are prohibited.
- Under CRZ, 44 activities are prohibited under 500 meter regulation zone.
- Pre-draft CRZ Notification published for comments on April 22,2010 exempts 'Roads on Stilts" completely.
- In the past Ministry of Environment and Forests had rejected twice the CRZ clearance for the construction of freight expressway which plans to connect Chennai port to NH4 (Chennai to Mumbai).
Wilbur Smith Associates Private Limited,a corporation which does planning and designing of public infrastructure and transportation facilities(according to its website) came in and did what the typical "big boys" do.In 1990, it prepared a feasibility report and concluded that 'roads on stilts" are possible, even without mentioning the CRZ prohibition of such constructions and without consulting the local people specially the fishermen.Then..
Mr.Jairam Ramesh's letter to National Fishworkers Forum explained that: “Road on stilts [were] retained keeping in view the congestion of the urban sectors in the populated areas of the coast. The road on stilts is primarily to be laid on the mangrove areas which will not affect the tidal inflow and cause minimum destruction to the mangrove area. The road on stilts cannot be equated with projects like express highway etc.” The above statements was to justify the inclusion of 'roads on Stilts' in the 'new" CRZ 2011.The law has been changed to accommodate these changes ,logically, open the doors for 'those' infrastructure/building corporations.
Almost all the major environmental issues were skipped in this new CRZ , more importantly as i mentioned earlier the feasibility study or any government agencies did not meet the people who will be displaced if the construction starts. Moving from the homeland is not easy , it is the most painful part.And as we all know how government keeps the displaced people , take the example of people displaced by Narmada dam construction,they are still fighting for justice.Another looming danger is lives of 'Olive Turtles' , this beautiful creatures unfortunately chose chennai as their nesting ground years before."Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network(SSTCN)" is a voluntary group which every year patrol the beaches during Olive Turtles' breeding season. Watching animals at work is the best way to learn from nature, these students are doing it.The proposed "Elevated Beach Expressway" will damage all these things.
Constructing "roads on stilts" is nothing wrong if it does not affect the livelihood of people.In case of Bangalore , its possible if it runs through current highway .Infosys suggessted that "roads on stilts" can be constructed from Electronic City to the Bangalore City proper.Its better if government thinks it terms of livelihood of people than dollars and cents.Will it?
Click here to checkout the videos about "roads on stilts"
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