Date:20/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/20/stories/2005042001210600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Environmental clearance for Pulichintala project

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Pulichintala project has finally got the nod from the Union Ministry of Environment facilitating the beginning of the work.

The clearance has been hanging fire since October 18 last despite the State Government's letter to the Centre seeking early clearance for the project. It was followed up by another one on February 16 this year.

The clearance became essential for the Government to go ahead following the conditions imposed by the High Court restraining it from taking up any work on the site without any of the sanctions.

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, during his visit to New Delhi on April 6 brought the matter to the notice of the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Following this, the Union Ministry accorded the sanction for the site clearance on April 15 for construction of reservoir to irrigate 13.08 lakh acres.

As per the notification of the Ministry, whose recommendation is based on environment impact assessment, the major hurdle for the Government is said to have been cleared now.

The project is conceived to generate 120 megawatt power and 1,370 cumecs (cubic metres) of drinking water apart from irrigating the targeted ayacut area.

The project requires land to the extent of 18, 609 hectares while the forestland in this is 1153 hectares.

The project became controversial with the separate Telangana supporters vociferously opposing the site.

They sought that it be shifted to a downward location. The Maoists too had issued a warning to the contractors against taking up the project.

The `Bhoomipuja' performed last year was marked by violence wherein the locals burnt away the sheds at the work spot.