Activist opposes changes mooted in VMRDA Master Plan Seeks extension of last date for registering objections

Noted social activist and former IAS officer EAS Sarma has expressed anguish over changes mooted by Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Urban Development Authority (VMRDA).

In a complaint, he wrote to Metropolitan Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan that his objection is with regard to changes proposed in the Master Plan. "I find that the proposed changes in the Master Plan are likely to adversely affect water bodies and other natural features in the metropolitan region, the details of which need to be discussed before VMRDA goes ahead, causing damage," he stated.

Sarma said Visakhapatnam municipal area used to have around 135 water bodies in the past but predatory urban growth has reduced them to five or so, that too shrinking their size. The earlier Master Plan of VUDA (erstwhile VMRDA) mentioned clearly how there has been a 60% shrinkage in the capacity of the few water reservoirs from which the city draws its water requirements.

He said "let me caution that the Supreme Court's order dated 23 February, 2006 in Intellectuals Forum, Tirupathi vs State Of A.P. & Ors prohibits interference with water bodies andany urban plan that violates it would amount to committing contempt of court,: he stated adding the authorities should extend the date for filing objections to enable citizens to provide more details of the adverse impact of the proposed changes on natural features, particularly water bodies.