HYDERABAD: The Concerned Citizens has reiterated their demand for scrapping the project for golf course around Naya Qila of Golconda Fort being developed in blatant violation of the rules and regulations by the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA).
In a panel discussion on Golconda Fort and HGA organised by Concerned Citizens here Saturday, speakers complained that despite the High Court banning construction activity near the Jamalikunta, Naya Qila areas of Golconda Fort the situation was quite the opposite as developmental activities in the area continued. They said that in violation of the rules, activity has been taken up for the last several days, a moat wall has been demolished, new structures have come up and large loads of mud and sand are being dumped in the fort, lakes being encroached etc.
BPR Vithal, retired IAS officer, deplored the illegal activities going at the Golconda Fort. It is unfortunate that the State Government, particularly the civil servants, were supporting these acts through dubious means.
``Golf Course is a place where civil servants and the rich meet secretly to discuss personal matters. When there is a support from civil servants it is difficult to remove these structures,’’ Vithal remarked.
The only solution left for the concerned citizens is to persuade the State Government to shift the golf course to any other place of their choice or file petitions in the High Court to get stay to stall construction of the Golf Course.
CC Secretary Jasveen Jairath said that another lake body ie, Shatam Tank, near the fort was under threat and it would face extinction because of the illegal activities carried out by the HGA.
Already two lakes have been destroyed as the HGA appropriated the water beds endangering the water bodies. ``HGA is carrying out the activities because of the indifference of the State Government.
We have reasons to believe that officials are hand in glove with the HGA. The Collector is a special invitee to the managing committee of the association while many IAS officers are members,’’ she charged.
M.Mandal of Forum for Better Hyderabad said that damage caused to Naya Qila by HGA was a serious violation of law and order and breach of laws concerning protection of archaeological monuments.