HYDERABAD: Wondering at the huge structures coming up in the prohibited area, Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government about structures that have come up within 10 km vicinity of Osman Sagar and Himayath Sagar reservoirs even after prohibition was imposed on construction activity under GO 111.
While recusing himself from hearing the PIL filed by Quality Foundation organisation of the city seeking directions to authorities to take action against managements of private engineering colleges, who have constructed huge structures within the prohibited area of both the reservoirs, Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan reminded that the HC had also earlier ordered not to go ahead with any constructions within the prohibited area.
Senior counsel S Satyam Reddy, appearing for the petitioner, pointed out that without valid permissions from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), the managements of private engineering colleges have built huge structures in the prohibited area.
On the other hand, HMDA counsel Y Rama Rao submitted that about 40 colleges were existing in the prohibited vicinity. About 84 villages fall under GO 111 and elaborate discussions were going on with regard to legal sanctity of the GO. In fact, several villagers have been demanding for reducing the area covered under the GO and some people are demanding for strict implementation of GO 111. The government has constituted a committee to conduct scientific survey for implementation of GO 111, he explained.
The ACJ observed saying that it appears there was complete violation of the said GO which cannot be tolerated. Recusing himself from hearing the present case as he had earlier appeared for some of the colleges, which are arrayed as respondents to the PIL, the ACJ directed the Registry to post the matter before an appropriate bench.