PCPIR: No plan to preserve Buddhist heritage

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 8, 2014 : Heritage lovers are surprised to know that the authorities of PCPIR have ignored valuable heritage sites connected to Buddhism and that there are no plans to preserve them from the large scale industrial projects proposed between Vizag and Kakinada.

In reply to an RTI query it was revealed that the PCPIR authorities have not so far consulted the Department of Archaeology on the location of these archaeological sites and the areas surrounding them which are to be protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010.

In an attempt to attract global investments in petroleum sector, union government planned PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh between Vizag and Kakinada.  Accordingly state government formed a special purpose vehicle- Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region Special Development Authority   (VK PCPIR SDA) and a G O 373 was issued in this regard in 2008.

Several archaeological sites dating back to the 1st century BC are in the area notified under PCPIR between Vizag and Kakinada. They form extremely valuable heritage of the country as well as the region.

Some such sites like Rakasimetta and Gopalapatnam have been partially excavated, some like Veeralametta, Seetamma Konda, Boobi Konda, Gudivadametta and Amalapuram  have been identified by the department of archeology, but not yet excavated and some like Peda Uppalam have been surveyed superficially but yet to be fully investigated. However no thorough investigation has so far been conducted to identify, classify, excavate and protect the sites which lie in the area.

As per initial estimates the PCPIR corridor was to be developed in a total area of 603. 58 sq kms comprising 110 revenue villages in 10 mandals of both Vizag and East Godavari districts. Now it has been enhanced by 640sqkms. 

State government appointed APIIC as the nodal agency for development of PCPIR and planning to invest around Rs 19, 031 crores to provide infrastructure. Government aimed to attract Rs 3.43lakh crore investments with employment potential of 12 lakhs. 

“If the PCPIR goes ahead acquiring land and setting it apart for use for industry without consulting the department of archaeology, it is likely that some of the areas protected under the  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010 will get encroached upon, in violation of the Act,” said Rani Sarma, member of INTACH, who filed a petition under RTI Act with the department of archeology.

 She also filed another petition with the VK PCPIR Special Development Authority (SDA) seeking if there was any plan to protect these sites for which the reply was in negative.  “The PCPIR authorities should refer the matter to the Department of Archaeology immediately, have a survey conducted, identify the ancient sites, and take all measures to protect the sites before any construction activity takes place in the notified area of PCPIR,” she added.