Amaravati works get Green Tribunal shock

Hyderabad, Oct 10: The National Green Tribunal on Saturday has given a shock to Andhra Pradesh. NGT today ordered the government to stop all ground breaking works of capital city Amaravati near Thullur. This is a major shock to AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is at present chairing a cabinet meeting on the ground breaking works, which is scheduled for October 22. It may be recalled that AP government was to pass the test of the National Green Tribunal today. Already NGT had issued an interim stay against any construction in capital region based on a case filed by petitioner P Srimannarayana. Long time ago, Srimannarayana had challenged AP government in the Supreme Court on the issue. Later, the Supreme Court handed over the case to NGT, as it is the ultimate authority to decide on environmental concerns. After hearing the arguments on the PIL (171/2015) that objected the construction of a state capital in fertile lands and flood prone region, NGT delivered its judgement today. The National Green Tribunal directed the government to submit a report on the wet lands and lands that might be submerged in floods. It put off hearing on the issue to November 5. The TDP government is learnt to have applied for the permissions and is expecting them any day soon. It has also prepared a counter to the Tribunal's notice, sources revealed.