The Hindu : SC notice on dam construction by TTD

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 26, 2003

National

National

SC notice on dam construction by TTD

By Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi Aug. 25. The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh Government on a writ petition filed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams seeking permission to construct a Kapila Theertham dam in the Venkateswara wildlife sanctuary.

A Bench, comprising Y.K. Sabharwal and B.N. Agrawal, sought a direction to the respondents to consider the Devasthanams' application on the basis of the guidelines applicable.

The petitioner submitted that there was an acute shortage of drinking water both on the hills at Tirumala and at Tirupati. On Tirumala, two dams were constructed to provide drinking water and when the third one was contemplated, a petition was filed and the Supreme Court asked the TTD to seek permission as the dam proposed was in the sanctuary.

The TTD said that in view of the acute shortage and the ever-growing water requirement, the place was ideal for the construction of a dam (envisaged as Kapila Theertham) with a storage capacity of 18.842 tmcft (thousand million cubic feet) of water. The project would also ensure that there would be waterfalls by way of seepage throughout the year for the benefit of pilgrims.

It said that in lieu of the 12 hectares required for the project, the TTD was willing to provide Rs. 3.6 lakhs for compensatory afforestation programme. It would also provide Rs. 1 crore to the Tirupati zoo for the upkeep and infrastructure improvement of the animals and Rs. 25 lakhs for recurring expenses every year, the petitioner said and sought permission for a dam.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National