News & Notes 885:L'avenir d'Auroville / ATDC takes a stand
Entity::L'avenir d'Auroville / ATDC takes a stand
We were invited by GM Facilitators – Elisa, Jesse and Julia – to participate in the GM to be held on the 20th, titled ‘How Can we Manifest the Entity::Crown Corridor together harmoniously?’.
We’re thankful for the invite and appreciate the enthusiasm. We are confident that the GM will bring forth some clarity to all and will give space to individuals to speak.
As for L’Avenir d’Auroville / ATDC stands, we have communicated to them that we’re still in the process of surveying the crown circle, and we shall engage the community once it is done.
Here’s our response regarding your Three Topics:
1. What is TDC´s and WCom´s proposed plan and timeline with regards to the Crown Corridor?
The work that we’re doing at present is not a newly proposed plan. Of course, everyone in the community knows and uses the patches of the existing crown and longing to see it finished. This is based on the community-approved Master Plan of 1999, which was subsequently gazetted by GOI in 2010. Auroville as a community has been working on the Crown since 2008 and we have received and utilized donations and other grants on this project for more than a decade. At best, the current ATDC proposes to finish the long-pending Crown at the earliest.
We acknowledge there have been three major impediments to the completion of the crown:
- a. Concerns related to the existing structures and some valuable trees
- b. Concerns regarding mobility
- c. Privately owned lands
At present, we are trying to do the following to assuage these concerns:
- a. Proper survey to recognise and reconcile with the ground realities. This is ongoing and an important factor to know and understand before discussing further and to avoid phantom issues.
- b. We believe everyone in the community shares the concerns related to mobility. Moreover, the Mother herself envisaged slow-moving (15km/h) electric vehicles, sans any noise or pollution, and public transportation. We’re working on a mobility plan which can be launched in a phase-wise, realistic manner. We’re thinking about restricted or alternate access to heavy vehicles. We request the interested and qualified community members to participate in this deliberation.
- c. Once we demonstrate that we’re serious about the Crown on the Auroville-owned lands, we can persuade the external parties. We need to pave the way and stand as an example. No pun intended.
2. What is an update on the surveys of Bliss Forest, Centre Field, Darkali, and the Youth Centre?
As mentioned earlier, the survey is not yet complete. We’ve met these communities on-site and are very thankful to them for being open-minded and forthcoming to the idea of the survey. After the survey, we shall discuss with them again and find solutions for their concerns. We shall update the community at large in due course.
3. How will the wider community be included?
At present, we are planning a slew of workshops to discuss the Crown elements. We encourage you to participate in the community engagements conducted by ATDC and voice your opinions and suggestions.
Amazingly, the community has grown up and stands together at the prospect of building the city. We are all working towards a unified goal, only different words, and understanding. We are conscious people who have joined with the community with awareness.
We request the community to work with us and contribute constructively.
Regards,
Anbu, Elaine, Lakshay, Saravanan, Sreevatsa, Toby & Vidhya, ATDC