Telangana HC Pulls Up GHMC, HYDRAA Over Mosquito Menace at Saroornagar Lake
The court directed officials to file a detailed report on the status of cleaning measures undertaken at the Saroornagar lake
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court took serious note of the unchecked rise in mosquito menace, especially in Saroornagar and LB Nagar, and directed the authorities to take immediate and effective remedial measures. The court directed officials to file a detailed report on the status of cleaning measures undertaken at the Saroornagar lake and other water bodies under their jurisdiction and posted the hearing to April 16.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar, while hearing a writ petition, also directed the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department, the GHMC commissioner, the chief entomologist officer, the superintending engineers of LB Nagar and Charminar, and HYDRAA officials to take immediate and effective steps to address the water hyacinth menace in Saroornagar lake.
Taking note of the photographs on record depicting the extensive spread of water hyacinth in Saroornagar lake, the court questioned HYDRAA on its inaction, particularly when the agency claimed to have been constituted for the protection and beautification of lakes. The court observed that the HYDRAA authorities ought to have inspected the Saroornagar lake.
The order came on a petition filed by D. Keerthi Kiran, a resident of Saraswatinagar Colony, Saidabad, who alleged inaction by authorities despite representations seeking removal of water hyacinth, fogging operations, and anti-larval measures in the lake. The petitioner contended that unchecked growth of water hyacinth had led to a sharp rise in mosquito breeding, making the locality uninhabitable and posing serious health risks.
The court observed that the authorities failed to respond adequately despite repeated complaints and even protests by local LB Nagar legislator D. Sudheer Reddy, wearing mosquito nets and highlighting the issue. Justice Shravan Kumar observed that in light of the representation made by the MLA in the form of protest, the authorities ought to have taken immediate steps in addressing the grievances of the local residents.
The court ordered the authorities to undertake urgent removal of water hyacinth and ensure restoration and maintenance of all water bodies in a clean and hygienic condition, free from mosquito breeding and other harmful organisms. It directed that the exercise should not be confined to Saroornagar lake alone, but extended to all lakes and water bodies within their jurisdiction of the respondent authorities.
The authorities were instructed to conduct intensive fogging operations, implement anti-larval measures, deploy dedicated teams for inspection and monitoring, and carry out regular removal of water hyacinth to prevent recurrence. Highlighting the larger public health implications of the mosquito menace, the court directed the respondents to periodically update it on the steps taken.
Telangana HC Halts HYDRAA Demolitions in Ameenpur, Orders Status Quo
In a house motion petition filed by residents Ilapur of Ameenpur, challenging intervention of HYDRAA, the Telangana High Court on Saturday evening issued status quo orders in respect of the structures in Survey No. 119 of the Ilapur. The court made it clear that the status quo orders applied only for those structures and gave liberty to HYDRAA and other authorities to take action even those structures by following due process if such structures were illegal.
After the HYDRAA undertook a massive demolition drive early on Saturday, Gajja Ranga Rao and 11 others moved the house motion petition for urgent hearing on their petition seeking directions to HYDRAA, the Sangareddy district collector, police and revenue authorities to not intervene in their possession of the land and requested the court to stop the demolitions.
The petitioners submitted that they were possession of around 100 sq yards land each in Survey No. 119 in Ilapur thanda for decades. Around 3,000 families were living in that area and were paying taxes. They said that HYDRAA and other authorities undertook demolitions at about 2 am and threw them out.
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy heard the lunch motion petition and issued status quo orders to the structures in Survey No. 119.
Telangana High Court Restrains HYDRAA From Fencing Lands Without Collector's Verification
Taking exception to the manner in which HYDRAA had been fencing land holdings and erecting the signboards notifying them as government land, the Telangana High Court has directed the agency commissioner to not fence any land merely based on on the prohibited list without seeking clarification from the jurisdictional district collector and the municipal administration.
The court cautioned that it would not spare HYDRAA if it continued to overstep its authority by fencing land entangled in legal disputes and adjourned the case to April 13 for further hearing.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the High Court also directed the municipal administration and urban development (MA&UD) department to exercise due diligence before issuing instructions to HYDRAA. Specifically, the department must verify whether or not any litigation concerning the land was pending before the courts.
Justice Shravan Kumar made it clear that this orders will be put into effect henceforth. The judge directed HYDRAA standing counsel and the Registry of the High Court to communicate this order to the agency’s commissioner immediately.
Justice Shravan Kumar was dealing with a petition filed by Kolanu Sabita of Park View Enclave, Manovikasnagar, Bowenpally, challenging the action of HYDRAA in fencing of a portion of land in Survey No. 55 (part) situated in Khanamet of Serilingampally, and erecting a board stating that it was on the prohibited list.
HYDRAA had earlier this week in a media release had stated that it had reclaimed land worth of `1,200 crore in Survey No. 55 and others in Khanamet. It mentioned that around 4.2 acres of government land was under the control of major real estate companies and 4 acres with Kolanu Sabitha. HYDRAA demolished the tin sheds constructed in the land claimed by Sabitha, fenced off the portion and put p the signboard.
Sabitha approached the High Court said that despite pending litigation of her claim before the High Court, the HYDRAA had taken action.
On inquiry, HYDRAA counsel submitted that the land was in the prohibited list and sought instructions. The court took it as a serious matter and observed that fencing of land without proper verification, particularly when disputes were pending adjudication, reflected a troubling disregard for legal norms. Justice Kumar also noted that the process of law could not be bypassed under the guise of administrative action.
