Lakes encroachment case: GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose, Hyd Collector appear before Telangana HC

Hyderabad: GHMC Commissioner D. Ronald Rose and District Collector Hyderabad D Anudeep appeared before the Telangana High Court on Wednesday in the case related to inaction by the state administration in curbing illegal encroachments of the lakes and water bodies.

An NGO filed a writ petition in 2007 against illegal encroachments of the lakes in Hyderabad and RR district. It alleged inaction by the administration in restraining illegal encroachers and stopping rampant constructions in the lakes/FTL.

On Wednesday, D. Ronald Rose and District Collector, Hyderabad appeared before the division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar Jukanti.

The lakes that were encroached upon include Durgam Cheruvu, Sunnam Cheruvu, Pedda Cheruvu, Pirjadiguda, Damara Cheruvu, Dundigal, Chinna Rayuni Cheruvu, Ganga Ram Pedda Cheruvu, Medikunta Cheruvu, Hasmathpeta cheruvu, Bairamalguda cheruvu, Pirzadiguda cheruvu, Uppal Panchayat, Nallagandla Cheruvu.

Harender Prasad, Special GP appeared before the court and furnished the latest status report on the efforts put in by the state government in protecting the lakes.

The report pertained to 13 villages wherein illegal encroachments were made in the lake beds and the steps taken to thwart the efforts of the illegal encroachers.

Harender Prasad informed the Court that the state government has taken steps to protect the lakes by marking the FTL and thwarting the efforts of the encroachers to further damage the water bodies.

Several writ petitions filed by the encroachers in the High Court, have obtained interim orders and are pending adjudication and the pendency of the writ petitions have created hurdles and hindrances for the officials to proceed further in protecting the lakes from further damage, the Spl.GP informed the Court.

He told the Court that the District Collector, Ranga Reddy could not appear and has filed an affidavit seeking exemption, which was allowed.

The Court was adjudicating the writ petition which is based on a letter addressed by Anil C. Dayakar, Executive Director, GAMANA (NGO) to the Chief Justice highlighting the rampant illegal encroachments and constructions in the lakes and sought direction to the officials cited to protect them from further encroachments and constructions.

The matter has been adjourned to January 4, 2024.