GO 111 Hyderabad, a 500 SqKm Green Zone

Introduction: GO 111 Hyderabad

In 1996, the United Andhra Pradesh government issued Government Order 111 or G.O. 111 to protect the environment and regulate development activities around the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs. In 2023, the BRS government repealed this order, but later that same year it was put on hold due to PILs filed by activists. After the change of government, the new regime in 2024 put a pause on the repeal.

Let’s delve into the details of GO 111, its background, the implications of its repeal, and the future possibilities for the development of the area if cleared by the courts and the government.

What is GO 111?

GO 111 refers to a government order issued in 1996 with the objective of preventing undue industrialization, heavy construction activities, and pollution in the 84 villages surrounding the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs in Hyderabad. The order imposed restrictions on land use and development within a 10-kilometer radius of these reservoirs.

Land Use Restrictions Imposed Under G.O.111

Under G.O. No. 111, one can build homes within designated residential zones in the catchment area, but must follow specific guidelines. In every village in the catchment area, one must set aside at least 60% of the total area for open space and roads. Additionally, one should use up to 90% of the land for recreational purposes and conservation efforts and only 10% for construction. This ensures that about 90% of the area remains dedicated to agriculture, including horticulture and floriculture. These measures protect the lakes and maintain their ecological balance, prioritizing sustainable land use while allowing for limited residential development.

List of Villages under GO 111

S No.	Village Name	Mandal Name
1	Aziznagar	Moinabad
2	Yenkatpally	Moinabad
3	Mumtazguda	Moinabad
4	Sajjanpalli	Moinabad
5	Surgangal	Moinabad
6	Naebnagar	Moinabad
7	Bangallaguda	Moinabad
8	Nagireddiguda	Moinabad
9	Bakaramjagir	Moinabad
10	Andapur	Moinabad
11	Dargatdrula	Moinabad
12	Venkatpuram	Moinabad
13	Malkaram	Shamshabad
14	Kolbawatidoddi	Shamshabad
15	Sultanpalli	Shamshabad
16	Yacharam	Shamshabad
17	Rayangudda	Shamshabad
18	Chowdariguda	Shamshabad
19	Markhudda	Shamshabad
20	Amapelli	Shamshabad
21	Harrigudda	Shamshabad
22	Kotwalguda	Shamshabad
23	Shamshabad	Shamshabad
24	Kishanguda	Shamshabad
25	Ottapalli	Shamshabad
26	Tondapalli	Shamshabad
27	Devatabowli	Shamshabad
28	Talkatta	Shamshabad
29	Etbarpalli	Shamshabad
30	Makanpally	Shamshabad
31	Kattireddypally	Shamshabad
32	Yenkamadi	Shamshabad
33	Ramangipur	Shamshabad
34	Kevatriguda	Shamshabad
35	Mangipur	Shamshabad
36	Jukal	Shamshabad
37	Gandigudda	Shamshabad
38	Peddashapur	Shamshabad
39	Madanpally	Shamshabad
40	Palmakula	Shamshabad
41	Gangiraiguda	Shamshabad
42	Cherlaguda	Shamshabad
43	Hameedullanagar	Shamshabad
44	Osettiguda	Shamshabad
45	Gowlapallykand	Shamshabad
46	Rashidguda	Shamshabad
47	Syedguda	Shamshabad
48	Gollapallekalan	Shamshabad
49	Bahadurguda	Shamshabad
50	Golkondakhur	Shamshabad
51	Shakerpur	Shamshabad
52	Sangiguda	Shamshabad
53	Golkondakalan	Shamshabad
54	Sollipet	Shabad
55	Maddur	Shabad
56	Gudur	Kothur
57	Himayat Nagar	Moinabad
58	Chikkoor	Moinabad
59	Chanda Nagar	Moinabad
60	Medipally	Moinabad
61	Chinna Mangalaram	Moinabad
62	Mothukupally	Moinabad
63	Reddypally	Moinabad
64	Pedda Mangalaram	Moinabad
65	Khanpur	Rajendranagar
66	Gunugurthy	Rajendranagar
67	Vatti Nagulapally	Rajendranagar
68	Janwada	Shankerpally
69	Dhatampally	Shamshabad
70	Maharajpet	Shamshabad
71	Gopularam	Shamshabad
72	Poddutur	Shamshabad
73	Chinna Shapur	Shamshabad
74	Tol Matta	Shamshabad
75	Yenkapally	Chevella
76	Yerlapally	Chevella
77	Kanmeta	Chevella
78	Gollapally	Chevella
79	Raviapally	Chevella
80	Mudimyal	Chevella
81	Mumera	Rajendranagar
82	Malakpur	Rajendranagar
83	Tankutur	Shankarpally
84	Bulkapur	Shankarpally

GO 111 Repeal

The decision to repeal GO 111 was taken by the State Cabinet during the BRS government. The primary reason behind this move was to address the long-standing demands of the residents of the 84 villages covered under GO 111, who felt deprived of development opportunities in their area. Moreover, with the city of Hyderabad and the HMDA limits no longer dependent on these water sources, the need for stringent restrictions had diminished.

Repeal of GO 111 and Its Implications

During the last regime the repeal of GO 111, the MAUD Department issued G.O 69, which lifted the various restrictions imposed under para 3 of GO 111. The previous government granted landowners in the 84 villages the permission to undertake any development activity of their choice, whether it be residential, commercial, or multipurpose. The decision had a potential to damage the intended purpose of the GO, which is to safegaurd the catchment areas of the twin reservoirs of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar. This alarmed many conservation activists in the City, which led to the filing of multiple PILs in the High Court of Telangana.

Conservation Zone

The authorities during the BRS government planned to lift the restrictions imposed under GO 111, but they have maintained the classification of the entire area as a conservation zone. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) planned to transform the GO 111 area into a green city, focusing on sustainable urban planning. The goal was to ensure that the development activities do not harm the environment and maintain the conservation of the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs.

Planned Development and Regulation

To prevent irregularities and unauthorized constructions, the HMDA planned regulations and measures within the GO 111 area. The development plans included a Master Drainage Plan and Master Sewerage Plan for the 1.32 lakh acres of land. Sewage treatment plants were planned to ensure that only treated water is released into the Musi River, preventing pollution of the reservoirs and mitigating flooding issues.

The HMDA undertook to the High Court that it will not grant permission until it frames the guidelines and undertakes zonal planning.

Water Pollution and Addressing Measures

The installation of ring mains and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will address the problem of water pollution impacting Gandipet and Himayat Sagar reservoirs. The authorities during the last regime proposed to link the water sources, including Musi, Gandipet, and Himayat Sagar, with supplies from the Kaleshwaram project. The Kaleshwaram project lifts water from the Godavari and transports it to the Kondapochamma Sagar. This integration will enhance the water supply and improve the quality of water available to the city.

Development Potential

The HMDA during the last regime planned to develop the GO 111 area under the green city concept, focusing on sustainable growth and environmental preservation. The planned expansion of Hyderabad can also incorporate the additional 500 square kilometers that come under the GO 111 area.

Current Status

During the past government, mulitple PILs were filed challenging the government’s decision to scrap GO 111. Authorities in September 2023 informed the Telangana High Court that it would comply with GO Ms. No. 111, the order safeguarding Himayatsagar and Osmanagar, until the specially constituted expert body, as mandated by GO 69, submits its report on the issue.

The current government has reportedly paused the repeal of the controversial GO 111, which aims to prevent pollution within a 10-km radius around twin reservoirs by limiting development.