To
The Editor
Times of India
This is with response to story published in your esteemed newspaper titled "Restrict Yamuna with walls and develop low lying areas" sharing views of Dr. E Shridharan, Managing Director of Delhi Metro.
In the article you have mentioned Dr. Shridharan blaming a handful of environmentalists as obstacle in the way of saving yamuna.
"Youth for Justice" is actively involved in the campaign against construction of Commonwealth Games village on Yamuna riverbed and since last two years we are carrying out series of protests, joint marches and other events sensitizing people on the issue. We have also raised the voice for the Yamuna river inside Delhi Assembly and some of our volunteers were got detained for the act.
It is very clear that we are part of these "handful of environmentalists" Dr. Shridharan is refereeing to. So we find it natural to share our response to the same.
First of all , we would like to share that we have great respect for Dr. Shridharan and we also perceive as a role model for all those who aspire to create a modern India. His achievements in Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro are remarkable.
On Yamuna issue we have a stand that Yamuna river bed should be protected as it is the biggest source for drinking water to the people of Delhi and at the same time this river bed is only major source for ground water recharge and if we allow it to destroy it would drastically affect the already diminishing ground water table of the city.
Mr. Shridharan is comparing Yamuna river with European rivers like Thames , this itself is like comparing the non comparable. European rivers are completely different than Himalayan river in terms of Nature, flow, rain fall, flood, etc. and thus both can not be treated alike. Similar treatment is bound to result in an ecological disaster.
Secondly, Mr. Shridharan is blaming a few environmantalists but he forget to mention moratorium issued by Lt. Governor of Delhi which prohibits any concrete construction on the river bed.
Similarly his opinion is not in line with the river zone development plan ( zone "o") presented by DDA. Mr. E. Shridharan should have a look on the same.
Similarly opinion of Delhi High Court has also been against what Mr. Shridharan is proposing and more than once Delhi High Court has made it clear that no permanent or temporary construction of any nature should be allowed on the river bed.
It shows that perhaps this time Mr. Shridharn is not making an informed choice.
At the same time we also would like to make it clear that we are not against development and we also believe that there are hundreds of unauthorised colonies on the river bed which are seeking basic developmental initiatives for years and we fully support the idea of changing the land use to accommodate these colonies in the mainstream development policies of the city.
Commonwealth Games villages and Akshardham can wait but kind of humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in these colonies requires our immediate attention.
We respect Dr. Shridharan and would like to request him through your esteemed newspaper that he should come out with a detailed plan for yamuna and then this plan should be made available for response from experts and public. Random suggestions and blaming citizen groups for their well informed actions is not going to solve the purpose.
We have decided not to join the protest against launch of Delhi Metro Yamuna Bank Station because we feel that Delhi Metro is for social interest, but is doesn't mean that we should accept anything in the name of development.
Sustainable and Justified development is the need of the hour and we would keep raising our voices for the same.
Again we request you to share our views with the readers and with Dr. Shridharan so that a much needed public debate on Yamuna and Sustainable development of the city can be initiated.
Thanks and Regards
Kapil Mishra
for Youth for Justice
In the article you have mentioned Dr. Shridharan blaming a handful of environmentalists as obstacle in the way of saving yamuna.
"Youth for Justice" is actively involved in the campaign against construction of Commonwealth Games village on Yamuna riverbed and since last two years we are carrying out series of protests, joint marches and other events sensitizing people on the issue. We have also raised the voice for the Yamuna river inside Delhi Assembly and some of our volunteers were got detained for the act.
It is very clear that we are part of these "handful of environmentalists" Dr. Shridharan is refereeing to. So we find it natural to share our response to the same.
First of all , we would like to share that we have great respect for Dr. Shridharan and we also perceive as a role model for all those who aspire to create a modern India. His achievements in Konkan Railway and Delhi Metro are remarkable.
On Yamuna issue we have a stand that Yamuna river bed should be protected as it is the biggest source for drinking water to the people of Delhi and at the same time this river bed is only major source for ground water recharge and if we allow it to destroy it would drastically affect the already diminishing ground water table of the city.
Mr. Shridharan is comparing Yamuna river with European rivers like Thames , this itself is like comparing the non comparable. European rivers are completely different than Himalayan river in terms of Nature, flow, rain fall, flood, etc. and thus both can not be treated alike. Similar treatment is bound to result in an ecological disaster.
Secondly, Mr. Shridharan is blaming a few environmantalists but he forget to mention moratorium issued by Lt. Governor of Delhi which prohibits any concrete construction on the river bed.
Similarly his opinion is not in line with the river zone development plan ( zone "o") presented by DDA. Mr. E. Shridharan should have a look on the same.
Similarly opinion of Delhi High Court has also been against what Mr. Shridharan is proposing and more than once Delhi High Court has made it clear that no permanent or temporary construction of any nature should be allowed on the river bed.
It shows that perhaps this time Mr. Shridharn is not making an informed choice.
At the same time we also would like to make it clear that we are not against development and we also believe that there are hundreds of unauthorised colonies on the river bed which are seeking basic developmental initiatives for years and we fully support the idea of changing the land use to accommodate these colonies in the mainstream development policies of the city.
Commonwealth Games villages and Akshardham can wait but kind of humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in these colonies requires our immediate attention.
We respect Dr. Shridharan and would like to request him through your esteemed newspaper that he should come out with a detailed plan for yamuna and then this plan should be made available for response from experts and public. Random suggestions and blaming citizen groups for their well informed actions is not going to solve the purpose.
We have decided not to join the protest against launch of Delhi Metro Yamuna Bank Station because we feel that Delhi Metro is for social interest, but is doesn't mean that we should accept anything in the name of development.
Sustainable and Justified development is the need of the hour and we would keep raising our voices for the same.
Again we request you to share our views with the readers and with Dr. Shridharan so that a much needed public debate on Yamuna and Sustainable development of the city can be initiated.
Thanks and Regards
Kapil Mishra
for Youth for Justice
