GHMC violates court orders to lay road over lake

For, GHMC has proposed to develop an embankment on the lake over which a concrete road would be constructed.
Mud being dumped illegally near the Yellamma cheruvu at Jaya Nagar Colony in Kukatpally. The High Court IN 2011 had passed an order stating that no portion of the lake should be filled either by private individuals or government agencies. Jaya Nagar resid
Mud being dumped illegally near the Yellamma cheruvu at Jaya Nagar Colony in Kukatpally. The High Court IN 2011 had passed an order stating that no portion of the lake should be filled either by private individuals or government agencies. Jaya Nagar resid

HYDERABAD: If the government violates High Court orders and public representatives celebrate it then who is supposed to protect lakes from encroachment in Hyderabad? This is the question that looms large in the minds of some residents of Jaya Nagar colony in Kukatpally since the last two days after heaps of soil brought in tippers was dumped near the Yellamma cheruvu. 

This illegal activity was not carried out by any private party, but by the government itself. For, GHMC has proposed to develop an embankment on the lake over which a concrete road would be constructed. Heaps of mud is being dumped to fill one side of the lake’s full tank level, giving some members of Jayanagar Colony Welfare Association(JCWA) sleepless nights.

The JCWA has been fighting for over a decade now to protect the lake. It was after the JCWA approached High Court in 2011, that an order was passed stating that no portion of the Yellamma cheruvu should be filled either by private individuals or government agencies.  Moreover, any kind of construction inside full tank level area of any lake in Hyderabad is prohibited by law.

When asked about road being laid through FTL of the lake, GHMC executive engineer for Kukatpally zone G Sridhar said: “About two months ago, sanction was accorded for laying of a cement road. We have consulted the Town Planning Department, which will look into the matter. We will not go ahead with the construction of the road until Town Planning department gives us their approval.”

Meanwhile, elected representatives are trying their bit to legitimise the illegal activity. Recently, Serilingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi posted a picture on Facebook, in which he was seen with Allwyn colony corporator Dodla Venkatesh Goud standing atop the illegal mud embankment.

His post along with the picture said that `1.5 crore worth works of laying a VDCC road connecting Jaya Nagar to Usha Mullapudi road had been initiated.  

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