Telangana to seek more time from HC on GO 111

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao asked the officials of Municipal Administration Department to seek more time from the Telangana High Court for submitting the State government’s action plan to protect the ecosystem and facilitate planned development in the villages under purview of GO 111.

As unplanned development would lead to pollution of the existing reservoirs in the area and affect entire Hyderabad city as well, he suggested for developing a comprehensive plan for planned development.

The GO 111 was issued in 1996 to prevent undue industrialisation and heavy construction activities in 84 villages and pollution of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar which then catered to drinking water needs of people of Greater Hyderabad. However, residents of these 84 villages, located in the catchment of the twin reservoirs, want it to be reviewed. The High Court is scheduled to hear the case on Monday.

The Chief Minister who held a meeting with the officials at Pragathi Bhavan on Sunday, directed the Municipal Administration officials to take appropriate measures to protect 1.32 lakh acres of forest land around Hyderabad and increase its greenery in order to facilitate planned development in the areas falling under GO 111. 

He emphasised the need to take appropriate decisions with regard to water conservation, greenery



development in forest areas and real estate development in GO 111 villages keeping in view of the future of the people of Hyderabad and its surrounding areas as the city was emerging as an international city.

Chandrashekhar Rao directed the authorities to take appropriate measures to protect the 1.32 lakh acres forest land around Hyderabad. He wanted them to increase its greenery as well as balance the climatic conditions in Hyderabad by storing water in the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar as well as Kondapochamma Sagar and Mallanna Sagar reservoirs.

The officials informed that the 84 villages under the purview of GO 111, were spread over 538 sq.km which is approximately equal to the area covered by GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation). As Hyderabad is growing and has enough area to accommodate another major city, there is a large risk of contamination of the reservoirs and also populated areas, if it is not designed in accordance with the regulations. 

The Chief Minister asked the officials to come up with a comprehensive plan covering green zones, sewerage master plan, drinking water system and wide road, to build a better city with all facilities for future generations. He wanted the officials to submit a comprehensive plan to strengthen the existing forest areas and also conserve all the reservoirs.