Vijayawada: Human Rights Forum (HRF) leaders on Tuesday demanded a halt to the proposed UDAN water aerodrome projects in Andhra Pradesh, alleging flaws in the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for Vijayawada and Kakinada.
HRF state general secretary Y. Rajesh and state secretary G. Rohith alleged that the consultant, M/s Enviro Resources, used template-based reports for two different locations without proper assessment. They cited errors in the Kakinada Bay draft EIA, including references describing the location as being on the “west coast of India” and mention of a “barrage” and “dam”.
They further alleged that the report described the coastal region as having “rolling topography” and “40-metre canopy trees”. They also raised aviation safety concerns, stating that the EIA contained errors in latitude and longitude coordinates and underestimated risks near the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to HRF, the proposed aerodrome site is 1.24 km from the sanctuary, which is home to several bird species, including the Indian Skimmer, and the report downplayed the risk of bird strikes.
The forum demanded withdrawal of the draft EIAs, an independent review of the proposed water aerodromes, and fresh assessment of ecological and social impact.
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