Hyderabad: High Court has dismissed the petition filed by BJP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy and two others challenging the Telangana government’s decision to shift the Chest and Mental Care Hospitals from Erragadda to Vikarabad for constructing a building for Secretariat in that place.

The court stated that it can’t intervene in the matter that has no constitutional obligations. It made it clear that the state government has all rights to take such decisions. The court opines that shifting of such hospitals from the highly populated areas to a peaceful locality outside the city should be welcomed.

The court also took up another petition for hearing filed by a person named Prabhakar, who complains that some heritage buildings located in the hospital premises at Erragadda also will be demolished for constructing the new Secretariat building. The court asks him to furnish the documentary proofs for it and adjourned the case.

So, the first hurdle for shifting of hospitals is cleared by the court even without any efforts by the Telangana government. Yet, it should obtain Governor’s permission before going ahead with its plans of shifting and demolishing the existing hospital buildings at Erragadda as all the structures in the Hyderabad are under his control.

Telangana government also has to cross few more hurdles for shifting of Secretariat to Erragadda.  Currently, the AP government is also operating from the same complex. If, the AP government moves to the temporary capital to be built at Amaravati before end of June or mid-July then there may be no issue. Otherwise, CM KCR has to convince his counterpart Chandrababu Naidu to move his staff out of the present Secretariat building to some other place. If, Chandrababu Naidu co-operates with him, then it is well and good otherwise a fresh fight may trigger between them over this matter also.