HYDERABAD: In a temporary setback to Telangana government, the state High Court directed the state government to stay the ongoing demolition of old Secretariat buildings till Monday.
The Court directed the state to file detailed counter affidavit and to furnish demolition plan and approval taken from pollution control board.
The Court passed this interim order in the PIL filed by Prof PL Vishweshwar Rao, vice-president of Telangana Jana Samithi, and another seeking to stay the ongoing demolition of existing structures.
The petitioners alleged that the ongoing demolition is taking place in violation of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Environment Protection Act, 1986 and against various judgements of the Supreme Court and High Court.
Temple and mosque to be relocated
Telangana government has decided to construct new buildings for temple and mosque in the new Secretariat building premises. According to reports, the existing temple and mosque will be relocated.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to hold talks with Hindu and Muslim elders soon on this. In a statement on Friday, the Chief Minister said that the government funds would be used for the construction of temple and mosque.
Rao said that new temple and mosque would be more spacious than the existing ones.
Near A Block of the Secretariat, Nalla Pochamma temple was located. The mosque is located besides C Block. However, new Secretariat building complex is likely to come up in the mosque area. There is a Christian prayer hall in the Secretariat.