HYDERABAD: The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) southern zone bench in Chennai has refused to grant a stay on the Telangana government's proposed Future City project on Hyderabad's outskirts.
The bench said interim orders could not be issued without hearing all parties and directed the Future City Development Authority (FCDA) and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to file their counters. The matter has been adjourned to June 9.
Petitioner alleges violation of environmental norms
The directions came during the hearing of a petition filed by Hyderabad-based environmentalist Dhonthi Narsimha Reddy. He alleged that development activities began without obtaining mandatory prior environmental clearances, violating environmental laws.
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The petitioner sought a permanent injunction against the project, which is planned across about 30,000 acres spanning 56 villages.
Govt says project at early stage, no illegal activity
Appearing for the FCDA, additional advocate general Tera Rajinikanth Reddy told the bench that the project was at a nascent stage and no illegal development activity was underway.
He said the required environmental clearances would be obtained at the appropriate stage, as mandated by law.
The petitioner, however, alleged that infrastructure work, including road-laying and issuance of tenders, had already begun in areas between the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar highways, affecting agricultural and pastoral lands.
Citing the Environmental Impact Assessment notification, 2006, he argued that township or area development projects exceeding 50 hectares require prior clearance. He added that representations to authorities had not received any response and urged the tribunal to restrain further construction until approvals are secured.