Majority of the people of Vemulaghat, in Toguta mandal of Siddipet district are in a celebratory mood over the stay ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the ongoing construction of Kaleshwaram project, which falls under the proposed Mallannasagar reservoir.
The NGT has directed the government to stall the construction activity till the required permissions were accorded by the respective agencies.
About 50 farmers in the village gathered at the centre and celebrated the win by bursting crackers.
The farmers of this village have been fighting against the government for the past 450 plus days demanding implementation of Land Acquisition Act 2013. Despite all the other villages under Mallannasagar surrendered, the farmers of Vemulaghat never stepped back.
One more reason for the celebration was that Mr Md. Hayatuddin, one of the farmers from the village, filed the case against the government alleging that the construction activity had taken place without the required permissions.
“They have changed the design of the project without permissions. The land requirement for the irrigation projects increased suddenly once the Panahita-Chevella was changed to Kaleshwaram project. The Mallannasagar reservoir, proposed with 1.5 tmcft, has increased to 50 tmcft. Around 3,200 acres of forest land was already damaged. Unable to bear the threats being faced by the farmers I decided to approach the NGT. Why should we be silent when the project is being constructed without permissions?” said Mr. Hayatuddin, speaking over phone. He was in Delhi on Thursday to be present before NGT.
“It’s time for celebration for us. The NGT has also heard what we said and has responded to it. Since the directions by the NGT are applicable for the entire Kaleshwaram project, we hope that we will get justice. Perhaps our village could be saved from submergence,” said Y. Purushottam of the village.
