PMC to debate Automotive Research Association of India's vehicle testing plan in Vetal Tekdi u00a0 <table style="width: 151px; height: 42px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="151" align="right" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2011/mar/green.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr> <tr> <td> Hot button: Green activists have voiced concern over use of land in Vetal Tekdi as automobile testing centre. Pic/Vivek Sabnis</td></tr></tbody></table>After environmentalists voiced their concern over Automotive Research Association of India's (ARAI) decision to use 20 hectares of land at Vetal Tekdi to build its laboratory and use it as a vehicle testing track, the Urban Development Department (UDD) is now waiting for the PMC's views before taking a decision on whether to grant the land to ARAI. The PMC will discuss the issue at the general body meeting and will convey their decision by next month PMC's opinion will play an important role in the public hearing by UDD on the ARAI's proposed laboratory. Neelesh Nikam, leader, PMC House said, "We shall hear both sides of the story ufffdu00a0 the environmental issues as well as the utility of the project proposed by ARAI." According to the City Development Plan approved in 1987, the hill top/hill slope zone at Kothrud Survey No 102 on Vetal Tekdi was granted to Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for construction of a laboratory and a vehicle testing track. However, environmentalists feel that vehicle testing might pollute the environment. u00a0u00a0 Earlier, the project was also criticised by eminent environmentalist Madhav Gadgil, former Union Cabinet Secretary B G Deshmukh, noted industrialist Anu Aga and astrophysicist Jayant Naralikar. They had argued that a vehicle testing track should not come up in a green area such as Vetal Tekdi. "The project will be a threat to the green cover of the hill," Gadgil remarked. Sadhana Naik, Deputy Director, Town Planning Department added, "According to a government resolution passed in February, the UDD had decided to remove 20 hectares of land from the hill top/hill slope zone and include it in the public/semi-public zone. As per UDD's conditions, ARAI has permission for a maximum of a ground-plus-two storied structure with a built-up area of 59,700 sq meters. A public hearing for discussing suggestions and objections related to the modifications of the existing land on the Tekdi will be held next month." she said. ARAI Director Shrikant Marathe said that permission had been granted from the ministry of environment and forests for setting up a laboratory building and vehicle testing track. "This project will not lead to concretisation of the hill's development will be taking place on less than 5% of the total land that is to be converted into a public/semi public zone," he said.

PMC to debate Automotive Research Association of India's vehicle testing plan in Vetal Tekdi

Rough road ahead for hot wheels

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