GO 111 Repeal: A death sentence for twin reservoirs?

The State government’s recent decision to completely revoke GO 111 which was aimed at conserving the twin reservoirs of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, has sparked a heated debate among various other stakeholders. While the decision made during the first Cabinet meeting at the newly constructed State Secretariat has been met with mixed reactions, environmentalists are expressing deep concern, arguing that it not only goes against the orders of the Supreme Court but also poses a significant threat to the reservoirs’ survival.

Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, the twin reservoirs that have long been the lifeline of Hyderabad, providing the city with its water supply, are now facing an uncertain future. The GO 111 was issued in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh to safeguard these vital reservoirs from pollution. Under this government order, all construction activities within a 10-km radius from the reservoirs’ full tank level (FTL) were prohibited. However, the State government has now decided to revoke GO 111, citing developmental hindrances in the area and grievances expressed by the residents of 84 villages under its jurisdiction. Regrettably, this decision disregards the Supreme Court’s directives and raises questions about its legality.

GO 111 issued in 1996

The implementation of GO 111 in 1996 successfully protected the twin reservoirs from pollution, ensuring their pristine condition until now. The order specifically prohibited the construction of hotels, industries, and residential complexes within the protected areas. Importantly, GO 111 was enacted based on the recommendations of two expert committees and received validation from the Supreme Court, supported by scientific reports from esteemed institutions such as NGRI-Hyderabad, IIT-Mumbai, and NEAA in Delhi. These reports emphasized the need to prevent any polluting industries from operating within a 10-km radius of the reservoirs’ catchment areas. The rejection of Surana Oils’ petition, which attempted to violate GO 192, further solidified the importance of upholding GO 111 in line with international environmental principles.

Pending cases in Telangana High Court

Petitions challenging the State government’s intention to lift GO 111 were filed in the High Court last year, and the court is currently reviewing the case. Notably, on September 6 last year, the State government submitted an affidavit to the High Court stating that the ban imposed by GO 111 had not been lifted and remained in effect. It is concerning that the government has chosen to completely revoke GO 111, though the case is still pending before the court, raising questions about the government’s respect for due process.

Reservoirs still source for drinking water

Despite their age of over a century, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar continue to supply drinking water to the region, providing 65 million gallons and 9 million gallons respectively. Preserving the integrity of these reservoirs necessitates strict adherence to the prohibition of construction activities within the 10-km buffer zone. However, the government’s decision to lift GO 111 suggests a disregard for the preservation of these vital water sources, despite its responsibility to remove encroachments and prevent sewage from entering the reservoirs over the past five years. Furthermore, if the area is declared part of the TSIIC zone and subjected to HMDA rules, it could spell the demise of these crucial reservoirs.

Assurances contradict actions

The government’s actions contradict its previous statements and commitments. In 2016, the government assured the National Green Tribunal, the High Court, and the Assembly as well as the people that a high-power committee would be formed to address GO 111, and any decisions would be based on the committee’s report. However, without waiting for the committee’s findings, the government issued GO No. 69, canceling GO 111. Now, the government claimed that another committee has been formed and the government is awaiting for its report to take further action which was relayed to the High Court and citizens of the State. Such misleading actions have not only deceived the public and the media, but have also misled the courts.

Preserving the sources of drinking water within a 20-km radius of Hyderabad is of utmost importance. The decision to lift GO 111 lacks scientific justification and has not undergone a democratic process. Moreover, this matter is currently under the jurisdiction of the High Court. In light of these concerns, we urge the government to reconsider its decision and prioritize the removal of encroachments within the reservoirs. Additionally, implementing dry latrines in the GO 111 area, as suggested by Dr. Lubna Sarwat, Dr. Jasveen Jairath, Pramila Kumari, Jaipal D. Reddy, poet Sanghamitra Malik, Talha Jabeen, and other concerned individuals, could eliminate the need for sewage treatment plants, soak pits, and septic tanks.