Encroachments of lakes: Telangana HC raps state for failing to act; seeks report by Oct 30

Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has expressed serious concern over the state government’s failure to act against large-scale encroachments of lakes and ponds across Hyderabad and its surrounding districts.

The court flagged the issue after the state failed to act on the repeated public complaints and representations.

Justice B Vijaysen Reddy, hearing a writ petition filed by Kamareddy BJP MLA Katipally Venkata Ramana Reddy, questioned the government’s inaction and sought explanations from multiple civic and planning agencies.

MLA flags real estate takeover of water bodies

In his petition, the MLA alleged that several lakes and ponds in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal–Malkajgiri districts had been completely taken over and converted into real estate layouts.

Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Bondempalli Ramulu listed several water bodies — including Premavathipet Peddacheruvu in Rajendranagar, Gopanpally tank in Serilingampally, Gagilapur tank in Dundigal mandal, and Mukkasani Kunta in Puppalguda, Gandipet mandal — that have been fully encroached upon, with multi-storeyed buildings now standing on lake beds.

He pointed out that the petitioner had earlier approached a Division Bench through a PIL, which advised him to file a writ petition before the Single Bench.

Bench questions MLA’s own role

During the hearing, Justice Vijaysen Reddy remarked, “The petitioner himself is an MLA, a powerful person. Can’t such issues be raised in the Assembly? Is everything in order in Kamareddy town, or are there illegal constructions there as well?”

Responding to the observation, the MLA’s counsel said that his client, though a member of the opposition, had raised the issue several times in the Assembly. However, ministers merely responded that the government had set up mechanisms such as HYDRAA to deal with lake encroachments, and that citizens could lodge complaints there.

‘If MLA’s complaints go unheard, what about common people?’

The counsel added that despite filing detailed representations with HYDRAA, HMDA, GHMC, and District Collectors, no action had been initiated. He told the Court, “If even an MLA’s complaint is ignored, one can imagine the plight of ordinary citizens.”

He also clarified that there were no illegal constructions in Kamareddy town and that the MLA was taking all possible steps to prevent such activity within his constituency.

Govt says multi-agency coordination needed

On behalf of HMDA, GHMC, and HYDRAA, the government counsel informed the Court that the MLA’s representations were examined, but the issue involved several departments, including the Irrigation Department.

The counsel assured the Court that all relevant agencies would coordinate and review the matter comprehensively and that appropriate action would be taken within six weeks. He denied allegations of official inaction.

Court seeks detailed explanations by Oct. 30

After hearing both sides, Justice Vijaysen Reddy directed the State Government, GHMC, HMDA, HYDRAA, TGRERA, and the District Collectors concerned to submit detailed explanations on the encroachments and measures taken to restore the affected lakes.

The case was adjourned to October 30 for the next hearing.