Judgment of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone, Chennai) in the matter of B. Prathap Reddy Vs The State of Telangana dated 13/08/2021.

The matter related to construction of sewage treatment plant (STP) of 30 MLD capacity by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation within the full tank level (FTL) of Lingam Kunta tank having an extent of Ac. 13-23 Guntas in survey no 253 of Chandanagar village, Serilingampally mandal, Ranga Reddy district.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) was directed to minimize the area for running the sewage treatment plant (STP) and retain the remaining portion as water body itself, so as to rejuvenate that portion of the water body and also to take steps to avoid untreated sewage being discharged into the remaining area of the water body.

The HMWSSB was also directed to take steps for removal of encroachments which are obstructing the inlet and outlet of the tank and encroachments in the water body for getting the water during rainy season and restore the same to its original position, so that, the dry water tank can be rejuvenated and make it a possible water source in that locality.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) was directed to create an alternate water body having twice the extent occupied by the STP in the river basin of that area to provide another water resource facility on compensatory principle of substituting the loss of area of water body in another area. This was being suggested as a onetime measure by the court and not to be quoted as a general principle. The new water body has to be created within one year, the NGT order said.