High Court seeks ASI report on Golconda Fort, lake

Hyderabad: A division bench of the Telangana High Court of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy on Thursday directed the Archaeological Survey of India and authorities concerned to file a status report on the preservation and conservation of Golconda Fort and the Naya Quila Talab (lake).

The order was issued on two PILs, one of which alleged damage to the fort and the other seeking preservation of the lake, which is present on the premises of the fort.

One of the petitioners, Omim Maneckshaw Debara, contended that while no construction can take place within 100 metres of the fort, the National Monument Authority allowed Aditya Homes to construct villas in violation of the National Monuments Act.

The counsel for the other petitioner, B. Rachna Reddy, informed the court that a sizeable area of historical significance was destroyed for a golf course.

Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the government counsel for the irrigation department whether a golf course should be permitted within the monument area, and further asked the state government and Wakf Board to clarify their stands.

Government counsel Harish informed the court that the Naya Talab in Golconda is intact and there is no threat to it. He also furnished a June 2021 report by the collector concerned on the lake.

Senior counsel S. Ravi, appearing for Hyderabad Golf Course, informed the court that permission was taken from the ASI for setting up a golf course. He submitted that grassing was undertaken on the premises at Jawarikunta, near the garbage dump, and that no further work was done on the premises.

 The court adjourned the case to December 14.