06/10/2024
Today SNV Sudhir & Deccan Herald team published an insightful article discussing the delays in India's infrastructure development projects, specifically focusing on the Land Acquisition (LA) and Environmental Clearance (EC) processes.
Read My Opinion
Land acquisition
"In most cases, the governments or private players take communities that depend on the land required for granted. They think that by hook or crook, they can evict or vacate the communities that ignite a conflict. The first step for project proponents should be to conduct an impact and risk assessment of land acquisition and to actively engage with the com munities involved. After that, they can start preparing the actual project plan," said noted human rights and environment activist from Andhra Pradesh Srinivas Ganjivarapu
In most cases, project proponents do not actively engage with communities, instead they attempt to sway their views and opinions. "Governments also have to build confidence in the case of compensation payments and packages otherwise communities do not cooperate. There are many projects in Andhra Pradesh where the oustees still await compensation even two or three decades after the completion of projects. With such examples in their notice, why would oustees of new projects cooperate?" he asked.
Srinivas, a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on the environment, asserts that a shortage of skilled consultants is prevent ing the proper preparation of the mandatory Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Environment Management Plan (EPM), and Social Impact Assessment reports. "These consultants, in many cases, often do a cut-and-paste job. They do not do real work on the ground, and often such projects are rejected for envi- ronmental clearances," added Srinivas.
(Article link given in comment section)