HC raps TS for lake encroachments

Chief Justice directs the Telangana State to remove all lake encroachments and file a status report by October 13

A division bench of the Hyderabad High Court comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sengupta and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar on Monday directed the Telangana State to take steps to remove encroachments on all the lakes in the state and report its compliance. The bench was dealing with a writ petition filed by Sateesh, an advocate and member of Save Our Urban Lakes (SOUL). The petition said that Kapra lake was being encroached upon and that private builders were constructing structures on the lake bed.

Chief Justice Kalyan Jyothi Sengupta directed BR Meena, principal secretary (revenue), to take all the steps in this direction and file a status report by October 13. The case would be listed after Dasara vacation.

As per the original records, the Kapra lake is spread over 135 acres, which was clearly delineated in the master plan of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). But in the last decade, the lake was reduced to 112.07 acres.

“The land grabbers have converted the encroached lake into real estate ventures. It is a matter of equal shame and horror that support from various departments was extended to the land grabbers by keeping mute and not taking any action,” said Sateesh.

Sateesh added that he had submitted a detailed memorandum containing details of the encroachments on the Kapra lake and construction of Carnival Club by Gade Bal Reddy, a major landshark in the city, to the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister’s Office directed the Telangana State to inquire into the matter, initiate necessary action and submit a status report in this regard,” he said.

“Landsharks are prowling in the open. Since action isn’t being initiated by the government and the concerned agencies, landsharks are encroaching upon the lake by filling it with soil in the beginning and solid concrete later for developing unauthorised structures,” Sateesh added.

Due to the fact that concerned departments had turned a blind eye towards the issue, G Bala Reddy was encouraged to start construction work on the lake bed.

“Though the Kapra lake issue was brought to the notice of concerned departments, action hasn’t been initiated yet. On August 7, a private survey was conducted by the land grabber and the lake boundaries were demarcated to suit his choice. Now the High Court direction is an eye opener to the government and to the concerned departments to act swiftly to save the lakes and punish the offenders. Otherwise the axe will fall fatally on the departmental heads that are responsible for the episode,” noted Sateesh.