BHAVANI RIVERINE ISLAND ON KRISHNA AT VIJAYAWADA

              Phani Siddha

@ Super Sixty IAS Academy

                   Hyd

Privatisation of Bhavani Island violation of SC order: Ex-official

Bone of contention:A file photo of cottages at Bhavani Island.

A Supreme Court order based on the judgment of a case related to Haryana prohibits a State from giving away public property for development or utilisation circumventing the ‘Doctrine of Public Trust' which is about accessibility by majority of population...

The proposed development of Bhavani Island in the middle of Prakasam Barrage reservoir in the River Krishna in Public Private Partnership mode through a 33-year lease will be a clear violation of the Supreme Court order, alleged former Union Energy Secretary E.A.S. Sarma. 

The right to access the public property of a common man will be curtailed due to the ‘high tariff barrier' creating  a socio-economic barrier for accessing the natural resources of the country. Allocation of the Island to a Minister was not legal and large-scale development proposed would meddle with the ecology of the area.

Natural islands

“We are bestowed with some such beautiful natural islands close to the densely populated city, which should be protected at all costs leaving it in its present form with minimal intervention by not constructing any infrastructure there,” said Mr. Sarma.

All this is being done even before getting a clearance from the River Conservator from the Irrigation Department.

The ‘Doctrine of Natural Justice' specifies that majority people should be able to access the facility which wont happen if luxury tourism and villa culture is promoted..

Pollution of the river due to this activity is another important aspect which needs to be taken into consideration as the fresh water resources would be destroyed