HC directs government to reply to notice on constructions within 10 kms radius of Osmansagar, Himayathsagar lakes

Telangana High Court on Thursday (November 06) said it would pass interim directions if the government failed to reply to the notice issued by it in a PIL petition seeking a direction to check illegal constructions within 10 kms radius of Himayathsagar and Osmansagar. 

A sexagenarian agriculturist M. Madhava Reddy, who filed the plea, contended that some private builders were carrying out massive construction works in the prohibited bio-sphere zone in the vicinity (within 10 kms radius) of these two lakes. Such construction works were illegal as per GO Ms. 111, the petitioner contended. 

A bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin, which heard the PIL plea, expressed concern over the State government not responding to the notice issued by it on April 30 in the matter. The petitioner contended that constructions in these areas amounted to violation of the provisions of the Environment Protection Act-1986 and several other Special Acts. 

These constructions were also in violation of a verdict passed by the National Green Tribunal, the petitioner said.