Art Of Living event: NGT verdict likely today, no fire dept nod yet

Suspense mounted on Tuesday over the fate of the controversial three-day cultural extravaganza on the Yamuna flood plains with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) posing tough questions on the event over which environmentalists have raised a banner of revolt.

While President Pranab Mukherjee pulled out of attending the valedictory function on Sunday, speculation raged on Tuesday over whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on Friday.

All eyes were on the proceedings before the NGT that questioned the Centre as to why no environmental clearance is required for erecting structures on the Yamuna plains for the event.

The event is expected to see a gathering of 35 lakh people, and has a venue spread over an area of 1,000-odd acres.

Construction is banned in the eco-fragile area, but a stage spread over seven acres has come up on the west bank of the Yamuna along with several other temporary structures, including pontoon bridges.

Activists argued that preparations for the event forced birds to migrate from the area. The floodplains have been flattened, destroying birds’ nesting sites and choking the polluted Yamuna with construction debris, they added.

Art Of Living council has also informed the NGT that it will seek permission for the fire department in a day or two — an admission that may be controversial given the festival is scheduled for Friday. The NGT said it will pronounce its order on Wednesday.