Hyderabad: No threat to KBR park, says minister Jogu Ramanna

Hyderabad: The State Board for Wildlife on Saturday approved construction of six multilevel flyovers around KBR Park as part of the Strategic Road Development Programme. 

However, the approvals given by TS Board of Wildlife and National Board for Wildlife can be challenged in courts and the NGT again.

The southern bench of the NGT had in May said the flyovers could be built only after the eco-sensitive zone of the KBR Park is fixed by the Union ministry of environment and forests. 

The state government has requested Centre to fix the ESZ at zero metres from the present 25 to 35 metres, which will include the walkway around the park. 

In case the Union ministry does not approve this, the government will have to obtain environment clearance (EC) from the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife before implementing the SRDP.

Minister Jogu Ramanna said, “There will be no threat to KBR Park or environment on account of SRDP as being claimed by some quarters. In fact, the pollution levels will come down after these flyovers are  built due to lower carbon emissions on account of vehicles.”

He said thousands of vehicles were getting stuck in traffic jams or moving slow  and the flyovers would provide a solution. “We are confident of the Centre approving the decision taken by us,” he said.