Vijayawada: The AP high court on Wednesday issued notices to the state govt in the PIL challenging the allocation of Simhachalam temple land parcels to Hyperscale Data Centre Park Ltd.Bolishetti Satyanarayana, national convener of Jal Biradari, moved the high court, contending that the allocation of 160 acres of temple lands at Adavivaram and Mudasarlova was in violation of the Endowments Act. He also contended that the said land was situated near the eco-sensitive zone and Kambalakonda wildlife sanctuary.Arguing on behalf of Satyanarayana, Challa Ajay Kumar said the state govt did not follow the procedure in transferring temple lands to the data centre park. Transfer of temple lands without issuing public notice was in violation of Section 80(1)(B) of the Endowments Act, Ajay Kumar said, adding that according to norms, there shall not be any commercial establishments within one km of a wildlife sanctuary, but the proposed data centre is located within 860 metres of the sanctuary.Arguing on behalf of the state govt, advocate general Dammalapati Srinivas said the lands in question are being given on lease basis and not being transferred to the data centre. Stating that land allotment and environmental clearances are two distinct issues and cannot be challenged in the same petition, he said that if the petitioner is aggrieved by the environmental clearances given to the data centre park, he can challenge the same before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). When there is an efficacious alternative remedy available, filing of a writ is not maintainable, he said and requested time to file counters with all details.Considering the arguments on both sides, the HC bench headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan issued notices to the respondents with a direction to file counters.
