Telangana HC questions state govt over lake encroachments in and around Hyderabad

Telangana High Court has sought detailed explanations from state agencies over alleged encroachments on lakes and ponds in Hyderabad and nearby districts. The writ petition, filed by Kamareddy MLA Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy, claims water bodies have been converted into real estate ventures.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of the Telangana High Court questioned the State Government over its inaction against large-scale encroachments on lakes and ponds across Hyderabad and adjoining districts, despite repeated complaints.

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The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Kamareddy BJP MLA Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy, who alleged that several water bodies in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal–Malkajgiri districts have been completely taken over and converted into real estate ventures.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Bondempalli Ramulu submitted that tanks such as Premavathipet Peddacheruvu in Rajendranagar, Gopanpally tank in Serilingampally, Gagilapur tank in Dundigal mandal, and Mukkasani Kunta in Puppalguda, Gandipet mandal, have been entirely encroached upon and multi-storey buildings have come up over them. He informed the Court that the petitioner had earlier filed a PIL before a Division Bench, which had advised him to approach the Single Bench through a writ petition.

At this stage, the Bench observed, “The petitioner himself is an MLA , a very powerful person. Can’t such issues be raised in the Assembly? Is everything in order in Kamareddy town, are there no illegal constructions there?” Responding to the Court’s remarks, the petitioner’s counsel said that his client, though a member of the opposition party, had raised these issues several times in the Assembly.

The ministers concerned had replied that the government had created mechanisms such as HYDRAA to address lake encroachments, and that complaints could be lodged there.

The MLA accordingly filed detailed representations before HYDRAA, HMDA, GHMC,and the respective District Collectors, but no action was taken.

He added that if even an MLA’s complaint is ignored, the plight of a common citizen can be imagined. He clarified that there were no illegal constructions in Kamareddy town and that the MLA was taking necessary steps within his jurisdiction.

On behalf of the HMDA, GHMC, and HYDRAA, government counsel submitted that the MLA’s complaint was examined and involved issues that needed to be jointly handled by multiple agencies, including the Irrigation Department. They assured the Court that all aspects would be reviewed and appropriate orders would be issued within six weeks, rejecting the allegation of official inaction.

After hearing both sides, Justice Vijaysen Reddy directed the State Government, GHMC, HMDA, HYDRAA, TGRERA,and the District Collectors concerned to file their detailed explanations on the encroachments. The matter was adjourned to October 30 for further hearing.