[sustran] Fw: MoEF shirks responsibility in reviewing massive environmental and social impacts of Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project

[kisan]

----- Original Message -----
From: kisan <kisansbc at vsnl.com>
To: <esg at bgl.vsnl.net.in>
Cc: <<sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>>;
<<gaia-members at lists.essential.org>>; <<etoxic at yahoogroups.com>>;
<<hjk at rincon>; <net>>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 5:30 PM
Subject: MoEF shirks responsibility in reviewing massive environmental and
social impacts of Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project


> Dear Leo, Maj Gen. Vombatkere and Dr. Vasu,
>
> Your 14.08 email.   I do not find anything unusual in MoEF response.
> This is how  the apex env  protection authority does in all issues.
> Every State Env Dept  copies with vengence. We sometimes feel
> disappointed as to how these authorities cause and abet disasters.
>
> There is no basis for building Bangalore-Mysore expressway when direct
> Bang=My railway corridor exists.   Trains can run at 15 minute interval
and
> be upgraded for  our fast emerging vehicle owning elite who `shirk' to
bear
> the cost of expressway.  It is again our non car owning citizens who are
> burdened with cost for providing comfort to our rich citizens.
>
> In Maharashtra situation is no different.  The Govt of Maharashtra (GOM)
is
> going ahead with construction of West Island Expressway (conceived by
> foreign consultants in 1962-63) connecting Bandra to Nariman Point at a
> staggering cost of Rs 30 billion (no cost data given to citizens in this
> world
> of free access to information and transparency. When the EIA of
independent
> consutants pointed out the hazards, the GOM got  the expressway designer
as
> consultants to show that no damage would come up and is out to squander 30
> billion when 50% of Maharashtra is under severe draught at the height of
the
> monsoons and when it is cutting down allocations on eduction and public
> health to meet day-to-day expenditure.
>
> All this is coming due to the GOI  commitment to link principal Indian
> cities by expressways likely to cost Rs 25,000 trillion.  This is World
> Bank/IMF dictat which our protectors cannot ignore.   You are aware that
the
> WB
> now insists on the proper Rehabilitation and Resettlement so you can
> ask the ICICI or other funding agency to go into the environmental, social
> and R&R aspects. The MoEF public hearings is a sham and  we cannot
> depend on them to place the real situation before the MoEF.  The
> MoEF does not consider issues objectively. The GOM has changed
> the WIE alignment three times still the MoER minister comes to Mumbai
> to assure  early clearance on the first alignment.
>
> What is the way out?  Law Courts?  Our High Court takes long to take
> up the PIL yet does not give interim injunction.  It appears to be the
last
> ray of hope. Can you not presuade the Indian Railways to optimise this
> corridor? Now it is highly underutlised.  The GOM and Raiways have
> set up joint ventrue to upgrade Mumbai's suburban railway service. This
> can be a possibility to defeat the Bang-My expressway. Best wishes.
>
> Kisan Mehta
>
> From: Environment Support Group <esg at bgl.vsnl.net.in>
> To: <kisansbc at bom5.vsnl.net.in>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2001 6:39 PM
>