Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra had written a letter to the defence ministry requesting the army to build an additional pontoon bridge, which he said was "imperative" for safer movement of people while crossing the Yamuna to attend the 'World Culture Festival'.
In the February 16 letter to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Mishra said the festival requires making of suitable, adequate and safe arrangements for people and provision of adequate number of pontoon bridges.
"A very large number of people who will be approaching the venue from Noida Link Road side will be required to cross over Yamuna to reach the venue of the festival... Provision of adequate number of pontoon bridges on Yamuna river (around four) is being seen as an imperative for this purpose.
"We have learnt that the army is making one pontoon bridge for the festival. This is not adequate for safe movement of the large gathering of people hence we request the army for building at least one more pontoon bridge over river Yamuna during the world culture festival," it said.
After the letter became public through media, inviting the ire of many people, Mishra tweeted, "Some media friends misinterpreting my letter. It says Army has already constructed one bridge that may not be sufficient."
"From Day 1, I have been supporting the event. After the NGT order all controversies should end. I am happy that the event is happening. Delhi government will happily welcome the guests," Mishra said.
The Art of Living Foundation's festival, which has drawn the ire of environmentalists, was on Wednesday given the go-ahead by the National Green Tribunal even as it expressed its helplessness in banning the event because of "fait accompli".
The green body though imposed a fine of Rs 5 crore on AOL as environmental compensation after coming down heavily on the foundation for not disclosing its full plans and also on the DDA and Environment Ministry for their role.
In an attempt to corner the Centre, the Opposition on Wednesday raised the issue of the Indian Army’s involvement in the construction of pontoon bridges for the World Culture Festival being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living foundation on the Yamuna floodplains.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury hit out at the Centre asking why was the Army being roped in for a private event following which the Opposition MPs raised slogans of ‘Army ka galat istemaal mat karo, raksha karo’.
In response, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is committed towards protecting environment and added that it would be wrong to doubt his commitment towards nature.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said that he was concerned about the event as the Delhi Police had also raised security concerns.
Speaking to the media after the House was adjourned, Yechury reiterated that the Army was being misused and added the entire matter is a violation on the Green Tribunal.
“How can the Indian Army be summoned to make arrangements for a private function? How are they violating the existing laws in this issue? How are they misusing the Army? The government owes an explanation for this,” he said.
