The Telangana High Court has disposed of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning alleged illegal blasting in the hillocks of Jubilee Hills. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin, concluded that the blasting was carried out with statutory approvals and completed in a legal manner.
What the Court Examined
- The PIL stemmed from a report in August 2024 titled “24×7 Blasting Clears Hillock, Irks Locals in Jubilee Hills Community.” The court took cognisance of the article and directed inquiry into the allegations.
- During proceedings, Additional Advocate General Imran Khan clarified that the Hyderabad Police Commissioner is the competent authority under Section 21F of the Hyderabad City Police Act to grant blasting permissions within the city limits. Permissions are granted only after ensuring clearances from PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation), the Chief Controller of Explosives (CCoE), and inputs from local police officers (DCP, ACP, SHO).
- The court was informed that the blasting at the site in question ceased by June 30, 2025, and no further permissions have been granted since.
Court’s Ruling & Directions
- The court found that the construction agency acted in accordance with the permissions and legal requirements. After examining assurances and compliance, the court disposed of the PIL, effectively closing the litigation.
- The bench emphasized that statutory safeguards were followed before granting approvals and no further blasting was ongoing.
- The court also directed that in the future, all blasting operations must strictly comply with the procedural checks, approvals, and safety protocols in place.
Local Concerns & Context
- Local residents in Jubilee Hills, especially near Nyay Vihar, had raised concerns over continuous overnight blasting and vibrations affecting nearby residential buildings. The PIL combined multiple resident petitions and public interest concerns.
- Earlier in the case, the High Court had sought clarity on who exactly grants blasting permissions, questioning whether the Police Commissioner is fully equipped to evaluate safety, environmental impact, and enforcement oversight.
