The Telangana High Court has stepped into a significant legal dispute concerning Hyderabad's industrial lands. On Friday, a division bench instructed the state government to formally respond to a series of public interest litigations (PILs) that are challenging the government's recently introduced Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation Policy (HILTP).
Court Directs State to File Counters
After hearing preliminary arguments and raising several queries, the bench comprising Justices P Sam Koshy and Suddala Chalapathi Rao issued a clear directive. The court ordered the state government and other involved parties to submit their detailed counters, officially known as affidavits, in response to the petitions. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing on December 29, when the court will examine the filed responses and proceed with further arguments.
Petitioners' Core Arguments Against HILTP
The legal challenge is spearheaded by notable petitioners who have raised serious concerns about the policy's formulation and potential impact. One of the key petitioners, Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, a retired professor, has urged the court to quash the government orders related to the HILTP. Specifically, he has targeted GO 27, which was issued on November 22, 2025.
Prof. Reddy's petition emphasizes the need for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) study. He argues that such a study is crucial before permitting large-scale residential and commercial development in areas traditionally designated for industry. His plea also includes a request for an assessment of potential health hazards for future residents if residential units are constructed in these zones.
Representing the petitioners, counsel K Pratik Reddy presented a critical legal argument before the bench. He contended that the state government formulated and announced the HILTP in a selective manner, bypassing the mandatory procedures laid down under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Act for any change in land use.
Call for Investigation and State's Defence
Another petitioner, KA Paul, has taken the allegations a step further. His petition urges the High Court to order a court-monitored investigation by central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the entire process of the proposed conversion and transfer of vast acres of industrial land. He has also sought an immediate stay on all connected proceedings until the investigation is complete.
Appearing for the Telangana state government, Advocate General A Sudarshan Reddy presented a firm defence. He informed the court that the concerns raised in the PILs are presumptuous and premature. The Advocate General assured the bench that the proposed conversion and transfer of lands under the HILTP would be executed in full compliance with the provisions of the HMDA Act, asserting that due process will be followed.
What Happens Next?
The stage is now set for a detailed legal examination of the HILTP. The state government's counter-affidavit, expected to be filed before the next hearing date, will formally outline its justification for the policy and respond to each allegation. The petitioners will then have an opportunity to reply to the state's arguments. The outcome of this case is being closely watched by industrial bodies, environmental groups, and urban planners, as it has significant implications for Hyderabad's urban landscape and development model.
