Tribunal restrains authorities from taking steps on stadium

The National Green Tribunal today restrained various authorities of Andhra Pradesh and Environment and Forests Department at the Centre from taking further steps regarding construction of international cricket stadium at the foot hills of Thirumala in the state.
The Southern Bench of the Tribunal, comprising Justice M Chokkalingam and Expert Member Prof Nagendran, took suo motu notice of a news published in an English daily, which said the plan to construct an international cricket stadium (for which the foundation stone was laid yesterday) had raised several questions with regard to ecological and security angles.
It directed authorities to appear in person to explain in detail regarding the project in the next hearing on December 12.

The report said the place selected for construction of the stadium was at a prime catchment area with a large number of trees and if they were felled it would be ecologically disastrous.
"The proposal to construct the stadium should be stopped immediately", the Tribunal said.
It was also directed to the Member Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board to video graph the area and produce it before the Tribunal in the next hearing.