The New Indian Express 25.04.2017
Bus terminus at burial site? CMDA gets ‘stop work’ notice from ASI
CHENNAI:
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s attempts to find land
for its proposed bus terminus for south-bound buses hit a new roadblock
after it was realised that the Kelambakkam site lies within the
protected and prohibited zone of the Archaeological Survey of India.
ASI
sources told Express that they have issued a ‘stop work’ notice, asking
CMDA to refrain from carrying out any construction activity in the area
which is a megalithic burial site. These stone-capped burial monuments
have chambers and other internment arrangements in stone.
According
to an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act, in January 2010, all construction is banned within 100
metres of ASI-protected areas. Also, any construction or reconstruction
or repair of a building with 200 metres of such areas requires
permission from the National Monument Authority.
Though revenue
officials have refused to give details on the extent of the ASI site
within the 88-acre land that was identified for the bus terminus and
allied development, it is learnt that a major portion forms part of the
protected and prohibited zone. This is cause for concern for CMDA, who
has been changing sites for bus terminus projects ever since the
announcement for a southbound bus terminus by the late Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa, after assuming office in 2011.
CMDA had been
studying three options as suggested by consultant CR Narayana Rao to
develop the bus terminus after the government won a legal battle earlier
this year. The options call for having revenue sources such as
amusement parks, a residential area, an office complex, banks, hotels,
health centres, a commercial complex and convention centres, besides a
parking facility for two-wheelers, cars and autos for commuters.
Sources
said the plan to develop a residential complex has been dropped and
possibilities are being explored for achieving connectivity between the
proposed bus terminus to Urapakkam railway station and Kelambakkam road
running along the northern side of the site.
Besides this,
connectivity to the proposed public transit systems such as Monorail and
Metro Rail is under consideration.CMDA is now evolving a design with
minimum development within the protected prohibited area and larger
structures to be planned in the remaining area, sources said.