Telangana high court questions plot reclassification in Durgam Cheruvu land auction | Hyderabad News

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.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.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin directed the govt to file a detailed counter-affidavit and place all relevant proceedings on record. The matter was posted to Sept 21.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.Senior counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing for the petitioner, argued that the land had been designated as a heritage precinct and rock preserved area under GOs issued in 1998 and 2003.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 because of their steep slopes, valleys and proximity to the mouth of Durgam Cheruvu. Authorities had then reportedly promised alternative land to prospective buyers.The petitioner further argued that a technical committee constituted in Jan this year diluted the earlier preservation recommendations by permitting development within a 50-metre buffer zone, paving the way for TGIIC to re-auction land that had previously been protected.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 contested the petitioner’s claims, maintaining that no portion of the auctioned land falls within the mandatory 50-metre buffer zone around the rock formations and that there was no violation of GOs.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. He emphasised the need to balance development requirements while ensuring protection of the rock formations.He further submitted that a letter of acceptance had already been issued to the highest bidder and that 25% of the bid amount had been paid.Successful bidder, MSN Realty, opposed any interim relief in the PIL, stating that it had already paid Rs 355 crore, representing 25% of the total sale consideration.