HC issues notice to TTD over environmental tests at Tirumala

Hyderabad: Justice Nooty Rammohan Rao of the AP High Court on Thursday wanted the TTD to respond by Thursday next, on its willingness to conduct an environment impact assessment test at the Tirumala Hills. The judge was reacting to claims in a writ petition filed by Akkanagari Shiva and others for allotment of a shop at the Tirumala Hills.

The petitioners lay claim to shops at the hills. They complained that the TTD had constructed shops and was proceeding to alienate them in a non transparent manner. It is their case that instead of conducting a public auction they were nominating beneficiaries. They further contended that a chosen few were the chosen beneficiaries of repeated largesse from the TTD. Dealing with the increased number of constructions, the judge specifically wanted the TTD to respond to how so many 'concrete structures' were coming up in the holy city to the detriment of the environment. He also pointedly wanted to know the possible alternate to the use of bamboo. He said that the TTD could afford and must take up a comprehensive study in this regard.