Union Govt stays construction of Vedanta University

BHUBANESWAR: In a major setback to the Rs 15,000-crore Vedanta University Project ( VUP), the union ministry of environment and forests on Tuesday asked the Anil Agarwal Foundation ( AAF), the promoter, not to proceed for any construction and development works till objections and complaints raised against the projects were heard.

In a letter to the AAF, the ministry said it had received allegations of irregularities; illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds by the Foundation. Besides, it stated that serious objections raised during Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting had not been appropriately considered in granting the aforesaid Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and environmental clearance.

“The above issues are relevant and important and predict a detail examination. Therefore, the environment and CRZ clearance issued on April 16, 2010 shall be kept in abeyance till a final decision in the matter is taken by the ministry,” the letter said.
It added that no-construction and development work will be taken up “till detail examination of all issues raised in the complaints is done by the Expert Appraisal Committee of the ministry.”

The AAF had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Orissa government in 2006, to establish a world class university to offer higher education in at least 95 disciplines.

Having provision for quality higher education and cutting-edge research facility, the project envisages construction of 2, 73, 68, 959 sq. meters spread out over 6, 892 acres in Puri.

The complex will have academic block on 1,500 acres, research and development centre and research park on 1,200 acres, Olympic Class, athletic complex on 300 acres, water treatment plant on 100 acres, green belt and open spaces on 1,092 acres, township for faculty and staff on 2,100 acres, sports complex on 100 acres and exhibition centre on 100 acres of land.