Violations of the Provisions of G.O.111 by Govt. Agencies

 The State Government of AP, realizing the significance and importance of providing safe drinking water for the progress and well being of the citizens of Hyderabad, issued G.O.Ms.No. 111 M.A dated 08-03-1996, for protecting Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, which are the main sources of drinking water supply to Hyderabad & Secunderabad. The salient features of the G.O. are

 

*To prohibit polluting Industries, Major Hotels, Residential Colonies or other establishments that generate pollution, in the catchment of the  
  lakes up to 10 KMs from Full Tank Level (FTL) of the lakes. - Para 3 (i )

 

*Residential developments in residential use zone may be permitted with 60% of  the total area kept as open spaces and roads in all layouts

  in the villages of prohibited catchment area- Para 3 (i) (a)

 

*The land use of about 90 % of the area is classified as recreational and conservation use in the Master Plan. The HUDA should take action

  for classification of this 90% of the area as Agriculture, which is inclusive of  horticulture and floriculture –Para 3 (i) (b)

 

*To restrict the FSI to 1: 0.5 in the catchment area. This measure will ensure that  90 % of the area remains under agriculture, as is the practice 

  now and ensure protection of the lakes- Para 3 (i) (c) 

 

 Supreme Court Judgment

 

The Supreme Court in its land-mark Judgment dated 01-12-2000 observed that having laid down the policy prohibiting certain activities within the catchment of the reservoirs, the government could not pass orders of exemption having dangerous potential, unmindful of  the fate of Lakhs of citizens of  the Twin Cities, to whom drinking water is supplied from these lakes. Also observed that such an order of exemption carelessly passed, ignoring the "Precautionary Principle" could be catastrophic.

 

Violations by Govt Agencies

 

 There are a number of violations by the Govt Agencies with regard to the protection of the catchment area up to 10 Km from FTL of Himayat and Osman Sagars. The very salient ones are the CDFD Building abutting Osman Sagar Reservoir and the allotment of 2200 acres of Himayat Sagar catchment area for Hyderabad International Airport, The particulars of others are listed below:

 

Vattinagulapalli IT Parks & Layouts

 

 The APIIC filed requisition, in October 2004, for alienation of Govt. Lands, previously earmarked for Formula-1 Race Course, in Sy.Nos. 117 & 127 to 132 measuring Ac.273.30 Gts, in Vattinagulapalli village ( within 10 Kms of prohibited catchment area ) in Rajendranagar Mandal of R.R District for establishment of IT Parks and took position of 120 Acers in Sy.No 132. The APIIC also filed requisitions for acquisition of Patta Lands to an extent of about 300 Acres in Vattinagulapalli for establishment of IT Parks. 

 

While the proposals of IT Parks were being finalized, the APIIC seem to have realized that the lands are covered under G.O.111 and the matter was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister on 04-06-2005 and the proposal for development IT Parks in Vattinagulapalli was dropped, vide APIIC Letter No.2183/P.M (IPU) /APIIC /2005 dated 11-08-2005.. But again APIIC is reported to have registered around 100 acres of land in Vattinagulapalli Village to WIPRO, in July 2007, for setting up IT Park, in utter disregard to the provisions of G.O.111.

 

The Revenue Department issued G.O.Ms.No 522 dated 04-05-2006, in violation of the provisions; of G.O.111, allotting 33 acres of land in Sy.No. 132 of Vattinagulapalli village for development of 132 plots by HUDA and allotment to serving IAS Officers.

 

Change of Land Use

 

 In accordance with the directions of AP High Court in W.P. 9386/07 the Dept of MA&UD, issued Memo No.14046/11/2007 dated 12-10-2007 directing HUDA and the District Collectors, of Ranga Reddy and Mahaboobnagar, to ensure that NO construction or development comes in prohibited catchment area of the Water Bodies, in violation of the provisions of G.O.111 and .to keep a strict vigil and take stringent action against the violators as per the law.

 

 But unfortunately, the Dept of MA&UD itself issued G.O.M S. No.293 of 26-07-2011 changing the land-use of the Site in Sy.No. 696 in Janwada Village (one of 84 villages in prohibited catchment) of Sankarapalli Mandal in RR District (earlier in Sy.No 297 of Kollur Village of Medak District) to an extent of 33 Acers,, which is presently earmarked for Conservation use zone in the notified Master Plan, as Residential Use zone.

 

This change of land-use is being justified based on the ground, as on the date of issue of the G.O 111 (8-3-1996), the land  was not in the revenue records of 84 villages, irrespective of the fact whether it falls within prohibited catchment area of 10 Km from FTL. or not

 

Allotment to Race Course Club

 

 It is reported that the State Govt is contemplating allotment of 100 Acers of Govt land in SY No 510 of Kanakamamidi village (one of 84 villages) of Moinabad Mandal in R.R District to Race Course Club of Hyderabad, in addition to 20 Acers to Polo Association and 10 Acers to HUDA, which were already allotted.

 

 Other Violations

 

It is a well known fact that a number of Educational Institutions, Resorts etc have come up during the last decade ,in addition  to a large number of layout development activities taking place in the prohibited catchment area up to 10 Kms from FTL of the Water Bodies,  

 

Conclusion

     

It is requested that directions issued by the Dept of MA&UD,vide Memo of 12-10-2007 be implemented strictly without granting any exemptions It is also requested that deterrent penal action be initiated against unauthorized  developments that had come up after the Supreme Court Judgment and the officials responsible for the same

 

 The HMDA may please be directed to take action for classification of  90% of the catchment area, in accordance with Para 3 ( I) (b) of G.O.111