PIL in Telangana HC claims proposed ELF Radar Project in Vikarabad is harmful for environment

Hyderabad: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has urged the Telangana High Court on Wednesday to give directions for the cancellation of the Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Radar Project proposed inside the Damagudem Reserve Forest in Pudur mandal, Vikarabad district.

The court directed both the Union Government and the Telangana Government to file their replies by November 13 in response to the PIL.

Environmentalists challenge defence radar in forest zone

The ELF Radar project was allotted land during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government to the Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam, for strategic communication purposes.

However, the allotment was challenged in PIL No. 44 of 2020 by Damagundum Forest Protection JAC, Save Damagundam, a registered environmental society.

The petitioner contended that the radar installation would destroy existing flora and fauna, harm the biodiversity of the forest, and damage rare medicinal plants that help purify the local environment.

The society sought directions from both governments to restrain any project that could cause irreversible ecological harm.

Court’s earlier intervention

The High Court had initially stayed the project in 2020 following the PIL.

However, in 2021, the same bench modified the stay, permitting the project to continue subject to the outcome of the ongoing case.

Amicus Curiae highlights radiation risks

When the PIL came up for hearing before the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin, Vivek Jain, the Amicus Curiae appointed by the court, informed that the Union Government had not adequately addressed the potential radiation hazards from the proposed radar system.

He argued that while courts have previously restricted cell phone tower installations near schools and hospitals due to health concerns, similar caution should apply in the case of a radar system emitting low-frequency radiation.

“The possible impact on people living nearby, as well as on wildlife and vegetation, remains uncertain and requires serious review,” he told the bench.

Court seeks detailed replies

After hearing the submissions, the Chief Justice Bench directed the Telangana Government and the Union Government to submit detailed replies addressing the environmental and safety concerns raised in the PIL.

The matter was posted for further hearing on November 13.