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The Telangana High Court has raised serious concerns over unauthorized concrete constructions in Hyderabad's GO 111 zone, a protected 10-km radius around Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs. The court issued notices to state authorities and the Pollution Control Board, questioning their inaction as large convention centres-each hosting up to 5,000 people-have emerged in the bio-conservation zone. Petitioner Mandadi Madhava Reddy argued these developments violate environmental norms, leading to pollution, traffic congestion, and loss of green cover. The court has demanded responses within four weeks, stressing the need to enforce regulations to protect the city's vital water bodies and ecological balance.
The Telangana High Court has expressed serious concerns over unauthorized concrete constructions within the GO 111 zone, a 10-kilometre radius around Hyderabad's Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs. This area, designated as a bio-conservation zone, prohibits any concrete construction activity to protect the water bodies and surrounding environment. Advertisement
Last week, the court issued notices to the state government, irrigation and municipal administration departments, and the Pollution Control Board, seeking explanations for allowing large-scale constructions in the prohibited zone. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, also directed owners of five convention centres in Janwada, Moinabad mandal, to respond to the allegations.
The petitioner, Mandadi Madhava Reddy, contended that the state's inaction in preventing such developments violates GO 111 and poses significant environmental threats. His counsel, P Sasidhar Reddy, highlighted that each convention hall can accommodate up to 5,000 people, generating substantial waste and sewage that ultimately find their way into the twin lakes. The influx of large crowds and vehicular traffic exacerbates air and water pollution and worsens traffic congestion in the area.
Additionally, Reddy pointed out that these structures, along with their massive compound walls, have replaced significant green cover with concrete, disrupting the natural flow of water and contributing to ecological degradation. He criticized the government's failure to enforce environmental norms, noting that even the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the specialized agency created to protect the lakes, has been unable to curb construction activity within the bio-conservation zone.
The court has directed the concerned authorities and developers to respond within four weeks, underscoring the need for strict adherence to environmental regulations to safeguard Hyderabad's crucial water bodies.
The court's directive serves as a reminder to both authorities and developers about the importance of adhering to regulations designed to protect vital natural resources. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future developments in protected areas across the state.
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