The Hindu : HC prohibits works within 10 km of Himayatsagar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

HC prohibits works within 10 km of Himayatsagar

By Our Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD APRIL 1. A Division Bench of the A.P. High Court on Tuesday declared that the runway, terminal building and facilities for landing and take off at the proposed international airport at Shamshabad should not be situated within 10 km of the Himayatsagar Lake. The Bench made it clear that all other constructions situated outside the 10 km zone could go ahead.

The Bench, comprising Justice B. Sudershan Reddy and Justice C.V. Ramulu, were dealing with a writ petition filed by the Forum for Better Hyderabad, a confederation of voluntary agencies. The petitioner, represented by its chairman, J. Rama Rao, contended that the Government had issued GO 111 in 1996 banning all polluting activities, including hotels and residential colonies, in the area within 10 km around the Himayatsagar and the Osmansagar lakes, which supply drinking water to the city.

The petitioner complained that the runway, terminal building and the take off and landing facilities, which cause serious air and water pollution, were being located within this 10 km zone in spite of the recent Supreme Court judgment, which did not permit an industry near the Osmansagar Lake. The court was informed that the AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) and the State Government had permitted such an activity within the 10 km zone in the name of international airport.

The Bench, speaking through Mr. Justice Sudershan Reddy, said that no record had been placed before it to show that the APPCB and the Government of India had seriously considered the effects of pollution as pointed out by the petitioner before giving permission for the revised plan. The court granted interim directions prohibiting any activity within the 10 km zone. The Bench did not agree to the request of the petitioner to stop all further activity. The case had been adjourned to June 9 for final and further hearing.

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