done: arun
Hyderabad : Telangana high court has put the state govt on the spot over changes made to a layout plan before the recent e-auction of 10 acres of land containing ancient rock formations near Durgam Cheruvu, seeking a full explanation for the reclassification of plots that were once earmarked for preservation.
Because of their steep slopes, valleys and proximity to the mouth of Durgam Cheruvu, he submitted that although the land was allotted to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation in 2006 and later put up for auction, technical and officers’ committees in 2014 had recommended preserving the specific plots. Authorities had then reportedly promised alternative land to prospective buyers. Opposing the PIL, advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy sought time to file a counter-affidavit and assured the court that all statutory requirements had been complied with. He emphasised the need to balance development requirements while ensuring protection of the rock formations.
The advocate general also informed the court that the state had already filed a detailed affidavit on similar issues in another pending writ petition before the high court.
The directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Juvvadi Pranay Simha Rao, who challenged the e-auction and proposed development of the 10-acre site. The petitioner contended that the land contains ancient rock formations and ought to be protected, while the state maintained that the heritage rocks do not fall within the auctioned area. The successful bidder, too, urged the court to dismiss the PIL.
Questioning about the state’s decision to revise the layout plan and alter designated plot numbers during the recently concluded e-auction, the high court on Wednesday sought complete records relating to the changes made to the land parcel near Durgam Cheruvu.