Greens cry foul over road through lake

HYDERABAD: The state government's `Rajiv Swagruha' project in Chanda Nagar, Serilingampally mandal, has now run into trouble with environmental activists demanding that the construction be stopped. Activists claim that officials overseeing the project are unlawfully filling up the Chakalivani Kunta situated in that area to lay a pucca road in order to connect the apartments (being built as part of the housing scheme) to the thoroughfare.The lake is spread over an area of about 56 acres.
Staging a protest at the site on Friday, activists also demanded immediate action against the offenders and sought the government's help in clearing the lake, which they claim has been partially filled already. "They started dumping boulders and soil into the water body before we intervened and got the work temporarily stalled with the help of the local revenue mandal official," said an infuriated Bhaskar Reddy, chairman, joint council of Chanda Nagar colonies welfare association adding, "But we are sure they will start work again like they did four years ago when we had first raised an objection against the unlawful act. The authorities concerned need to take strict action this time to ensure they do not resume construction."
"It faced with similar problems in the past too, but officials have always found a way out," said a local.
Apart from the damage caused to the lake, what has angered activists further is a police complaint lodged against them on Thursday, by the general manager of `Rajiv Swagruha', P Shankar. B Surender Rao, inspector, Chanda Nagar, said that three people, Bhaskar Reddy, D Srinivas and K Yellesh, along with some of their `followers' had been named in the complaint. "They have been charged with trespassing, threatening them (government officials) with dire consequences and damaging property," Rao said adding, "We are now investigating the case and will take action accordingly."
Activists termed the complaint as "baseless" and said that the officials were "falsely implicating" them to ensure smooth execution of their project.
General manager of the `Rajiv Swagruha' project could not be reached for his comments on the issue.