M.RAJI REDDY Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition has been filed challenging the Public Consultation (Public Hearing) organized by the Telangana State Pollution Control Board, respondent No. 3, and by the Environmental Engineer, Telangana State Pollution Control Board, respondent No. 4, scheduled to be held on 10.07.2020 at 11:00 a.m. and onwards.

(2.) With the consent of both the learned counsel, this writ petition is being decided at this stage itself.

(3.) Briefly, the facts of the case are that the Government has planned to develop the Zaheerabad National Investment and Manufacturing Zone ('NIMZ', for short) in Sangareddy District by M/s. Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited ('TSIICL', for short). According to TSIICL, the project would cover an area of 12,635 acres (approximately 5,113 Hectors). The project would further cover lands within seventeen villages in two different Mandals of Sangareddy District, namely Nyalkal and Jharasangam Mandals. The proposal for developing the entire project was submitted before the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as far back as in 2017. On 24.01.2018, the said proposal was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee ('EAC') for Industrial Estate/Area of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi. The said proposal was accorded permission subject to preparation of the Environment Impact Assessment Report and Environment Management Plan ('EMP') with public consultations. The said proposal was approved with certain specific conditions. Since such a large project cannot be implemented without holding a public consultation, the respondent Nos. 3 and 4 have scheduled to hold a public hearing on 10.07.2020. Hence, the present writ petition before this Court.