HYDERABAD: A two-member bench of the National Green Tribunal in Delhi on Wednesday expressed displeasure at the authorities of Telangana government for failure to disclose the extent of forest land that would be utilised for laying pipelines to supply drinking water from Kaleshwaram project in the state.
The bench, headed by justice Jawad Rahim, was hearing a plea made by Hayath Uddin challenging the decision of Telangana government to construct the Kaleshwaram project without environmental and forest clearances.
Petitioner’s counsel Sanjay Upadhyaya pointed out that the state government had been claiming that the said project was meant for drinking water purpose but showed the pipelines which were laid under Mission Bhagiratha. Besides, the authorities failed to disclose the 62 hectares of forest land which was being used for Medigadda barrage, he alleged.
On the other hand, the government counsel urged the bench to grant some time for placing the required details and filing a reply affidavit on the issue. In fact, the state has got clearances from the central government for phase-I of Kaleshwaram project, he noted.
Following the plea, the bench adjourned the hearing to Thursday.