Dr.S.A.Prasad 09 Nov 99
President
Dear Mr. Jorgensen,
Please refer to our correspondence on the matter of the ORR for Mysore infringing on the precincts of Lingambudi Lake.
We were happy to be able to show you our concerns on the ground when we visited Lingambudi Lake together on 04 Nov 99. We believe that you have understood our point of view, and have also observed the enormous ignorance and insensitivity with respect to environmental matters that the MUDA staff displayed.
You may recall that the concern of citizens of Mysore with regard to Lingambudi Lake and the ORR, first came to the notice of ADB when Maj Gen S.G.Vombatkere (Retd) informed Mr.Nitin Patel and Mr.Munawwar Alam as late as in April 1999. This resulted in a belated IEE being conducted by Dr. Dinesh Mahendra and others. The Consultants of ADB, MUDA or KUIDFC, all of whom have failed in their duty in this respect, should have themselves brought this to the notice of ADB, and prepared the estimates after the matter was resolved. There has been a failure of the planning process that is resulting in threat to an old, heritage precinct of Mysore which serves the people of Mysore, besides being a bird sanctuary.
As discussed during the site visit, we agree that the situation is now difficult due to the inactivity and ignorance of the authorities in spite of the environmental concerns spoken as long ago as 1994. But we believe that the solution of re-alignment as suggested by us is still feasible. The EIA that you intend to now order should make a comparative study of at least two alternative alignments. As pointed out by MUDA’s Member Town Planning, the ORR alignment has undergone changes on engineering considerations. We therefore see no reason why MUDA should be so inflexible with regard to environmental considerations affecting people and their right to access to open spaces which is an integral part of urban development.
Since the project of the ORR is being funded by ADB, and since environmental damage being caused to a heritage precinct by a project using ADB funds would not be good for the public image of ADB (apart from it being against ADB policy), we request you to use your official position accordingly. As succinctly put by you, at this late stage “somebody is going to be unhappy” with the ORR vis-à-vis Lingambudi Lake. We therefore make this final request to you to not precipitate a crisis situation in which ADB funded works are executed against the wish and welfare of the people of Mysore.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Copy: Mr. Polman, Head INRM, ADB, New Delhi – 110 003.