Gudatipally oustees hope to get justice

Three member committee appointed by NGT to verify whether permissions were violated by expansion of capacity of Gauravelli reservoir

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has in its order on August 13, 2021, ordered constitution of three- member a joint committee to look into the permissions obtained by the State government with regard to construction of Gouravelli reservoir. The committee would have a senior officer from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Integrated Regional Office, Telangana, a senior officer from Godavari River Management Board and senior officer from Central Water Commission, Integrated Regional Office, Hyderabad. The Gouravelli project was initially designed with 1.41 tmcft but in the redesign the capacity was increased to 8.23 tmcft. Gudatipally in Akkannapet mandal is one of the villages that would submerge in the reservoir. “In order to ascertain the genuineness of the allegations made and also to find out whether there is any violation committed, we feel it appropriate to appoint a joint committee to inspect the area in question and also to examine the project and submit a factual as well as action taken report if there is any violation found,” read the order issued by the NGT.