Hyderabad: In a major reprieve to the state government, Telangana High Court today paved way for removal of Secretariat buildings by quashing all the petitions seeking stay orders.
The Centre has informed to the court that environmental clearance is not required for demolition of any buildings. Upon getting central information and the Supreme Court denying to intervene in state policy matters, the high court has refused to stay the same. The High Court has heard several petitions for the last week to stall demolition of buildings in the Secretariat. National Green Tribunal has to hear the case next Monday and may follow suit.
Congress MP Revanth Reddy urged NGT to stay the process of building removal which is against environmental norms.
Advocate General B S Prasad informed that the government has obtained permission from GHMC for the demolition of buildings in the Secretariat. He also said that environmental permission is required for the construction of new buildings and not during the demolition. Prasad said that the government will get environmental clearance from the centre to construct the new buildings on removing the old ones.
TJS leader and Professor P L Vishweshwar Rao, urged the court to prevent environmental pollution being caused by demolition works in the Secretariat which is against norms. With this the government can now move swiftly to remove old buildings and build new structures as planned.
The KCR Government has recently released a design fir the new Secretariat to be built by spending about Rs 500 cr. The opposition parties are opposing the government on the issue.
