As construction continues for the H-CITI project near KBR National Park, another critical battle unfolds in the Telangana High Court. This clash involves the park’s future as it faces plans for seven flyovers and underpasses, even as legal boundaries remain uncertain.
The petitioners—Kaajal Maheshwari, Jasveen Jairath, and Sagar Dhara—challenge the Ministry of Environment’s notification that set the park’s Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) without following proper procedures. Armed with a Supreme Court ruling from three years ago, requiring a minimum one-kilometer ESZ around national parks, the activists aim to stop what they see as reckless development.
The Ministry’s final ESZ notification on October 27, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, proposed a buffer ranging from just three to 29.8 meters, a stark contrast to the Supreme Court’s directive. The park was officially recognized in 1998, but the buffer zone wasn’t established until a National Green Tribunal (NGT) intervention arose from massive citizen protests against tree cutting.
In 2015-16, the then-government’s plan to build flyovers sparked widespread protests, particularly concerning the removal of 1,300 trees. The community’s outcry led to a temporary halt in the project as the NGT pushed for clarity on the ESZ.
When the Ministry eventually proposed an initial draft that significantly reduced the buffer zone, public backlash erupted. Activists claim the government did not conduct a public hearing as required. Reports suggest that the Forest Department couldn’t provide evidence of public consultations in court.
Recently, the court’s lift on a construction stay allows work to continue on the H-CITI project, raising concerns among activists. “The Supreme Court’s mandate is clear: maintain a one-kilometer ESZ. Instead of adhering to this, the government is permitting flyovers,” notes environmentalist Sandeep Khurana, who has closely monitored the case.
This development reflects a broader trend in urban planning, where environmental safeguards often clash with infrastructure projects aimed at easing congestion. A survey by the National Institute of Urban Affairs indicates that public support for green spaces remains strong, emphasizing the need to balance development with environmental protection.
As the construction pushes forward, the tension between growth and preservation continues to shape the dialogue in Hyderabad. The outcome of this legal battle may set significant precedents for how urban areas navigate similar challenges in the future.
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H-CITI project near KBR National Park,KBR National Park protest
