National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled Snow-Like Chemical ... vs Telangana State Pollution Control ... on 20 March, 2025
Item No.14:-
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI
[Through Physical Hearing (Hybrid Option)]
Original Application No.22 of 2024 (SZ)
[Earlier O.A. No. 565/2023 (PB)]
IN THE MATTER OF:
Tribunal on its own motion SUO MOTU
based on the news item in The New
Indian Express Dt. 08.09.2023 titled
"Snow-like chemical foam haunts
Kukatpally again"
With
District Collector
Medchal - Malkajgiri District,
Telangana and Ors.
...Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 20.03.2025.
CORAM:
HON'BLE Smt. JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE Dr. SATYAGOPALKORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s): Suo Motu.
For Respondent(s): Mr. Mohammed Aathic represented
Mrs. H. Yasmeen Ali for R1 & R4.
Ms. G. Lavanya represented
Mr. T. Sai Krishnan for R2 & R3.
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ORDER
1. The report of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) states that a writ petition [W.P. No.28313 of 2021] has been filed before the Hon'ble High Court of Telangana by the writ petitioners viz., Chinthapatla Hanumantha and Chinthapatla Jamuna, seeking a direction to the authorities not to construct the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) on their lands in Sy. No.190/1 of Moosapet Village, Kukatpally Mandal, Medchal Malkajgiri District, which is covered by a basement with a wooden gate, as the authorities have no legal right to proceed with the construction.
2. The Hon'ble High Court of Telangana has granted a stay on further construction of the STP. Though the matter has been pending since 2021, the authorities have not taken steps to vacate the stay.
3. Meanwhile, the Hon'ble High Court of Telangana has directed the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) to resolve this issue. In this regard, the HMWSSB has also given a representation to the District Collector - Medchal Malkajgiri District.
4. It appears that the HMWSSB is not interested in proceeding with the construction of the STP. The present case arises from a complaint regarding the mixing of rainwater, sewage, and chemical effluents from industries led to snow-like chemical foam appearing in Page 2 of 3 residential areas of Kukatpally. It is further reported in the news item that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is not interested in this regard.
5. Considering the pollution that is caused in the absence of the STP, we direct the authorities to expedite the process by approaching the Hon'ble High Court of Telangana if required and also obtaining appropriate orders from the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, the Telangana SPCB is directed to keep a vigil on the Kukatpally area for any kind of pollution.
6. List the matter on 18.06.2025 for further consideration.
Sd/-
Smt. Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/-
Dr. Satyagopal Korlapati, EM O.A. No.22/2024 (SZ), 20th March, 2025. Mn.
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