Telangana High Court Acts on Complaint of FTL Violation at Himayatsagar
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was dealing with a PIL filed by Mandadi Madhava Reddy of Pedda Mangalaram of Moinabad mandal, who complained about Ananda Conventions at Kothwalguda, which was allegedly dumping gravel in the Himayatsagar FTL area
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court took cognisance of a PIL complaining of inaction of government agencies regarding the construction of a convention centre allegedly within the full tank level of the Himayatsagar, and issued notices to the departments concerned to submit their contentions.
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara was dealing with a PIL filed by Mandadi Madhava Reddy of Pedda Mangalaram of Moinabad mandal, who complained about Ananda Conventions at Kothwalguda, which was allegedly dumping gravel in the Himayatsagar FTL area.
He submitted that Neo Conventions, Arya Conventions, KLN Conventions and K Conventions had undertaken large-scale constructions along the Shankarpally main road in Janwada of Moinabad mandal, which fell inside the area protected by GO No. 111 dated 08.03.1996. He alleged that the actions of the managements were also in contravention of the Telangana Building Rules, 2012 notified under GO Ms. No. 168, dated 07.04.2012, which mandated the implementation of GO No. 111 in the catchment areas of the Himayatsagar and Osmansagar.
The petitioner also expressed concern that with the huge gatherings of around 3,000 to 5,000 members at a time at the conventions centres during functions, all the sewage was being dumped or drained into the reservoir. The frequent commuting of vehicles to events at the centre would cause a lot of air and water pollution to the lakes and to residents living in the vicinity. He said the inaction of the authorities had caused substantial damage to both the lakes.
He requested the court to direct the officials to implement GO 111 in its letter and spirit and sought appropriate relief in the larger public interest to safeguard the rights and well-being of the residents of villages covered under order as well as Hyderabad, which lies downstream of the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar.
The bench issued notices to the Chief Secretary, irrigation and municipal administration departments, Pollution Control Board, Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board, HMDA commissioner, GHMC commissioner, Hyderabad lakes and waterbody management circle and the Lake Protection Committee and directed them to file their counter.