On Saturday, aggrieved Tellapur residents expressed their concerns following a recent order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to support the cancellation of NOCs if projects were developed on lakes. The locals said their hard-earned cash was at stake.

"In 2006, a NOC was sent to the builder, said Pratap, a techie, and resident of one of the affected projects. In 2016, it was declared to be part of the lake's complete tank level. We're at a loss altogether.

Not only people in Tellapur but also those who intend to pay an advance are on tenterhooks. Srinivas, a potential buyer, asked if the uncertainty in the region would lead it.

In an earlier such attempt, the petitioner Rajkumar Thakur spoke to the residents explaining different problems, including NOCs. "All NOCs show at the end that illegality or intrusions can be canceled at any time." Thus the NOC is not written in stone, contrary to what many gullible people believe. You have to be particularly careful, and that's how I too was fooled, "he said.

Thakur said that prospective customers may still purchase properties. However, they must bear in mind that spaces are being invaded. "Nearly 300 apartments were affected in one complex during the recent flooding. Prospective buyers must also stop projects or projects that conflict with the water bodies. He called for a further meeting with all involved parties to provide an example by stating a resolution on the issue.

He said the buyers' rights must be protected, asserting that even though the matter was referred to the Supreme Court, it would retain the environmentally friendly order of the NGT. In Tellapur, there are three big lakes, namely Chelli Kunta, Medla Kunta, Vanam Kunta, and many nalas.

A three-member resident committee is to be created soon for a conversation with affected residents, said Ramana Eshwaragiri, President of Tellapur neighborhood association. The government-appointed committee will be presented with a joint petition to consider the matter.

The order was imposed on 29 October by the southern bench of NGT in Chennai. Although stating that the government-constituted committee should investigate the violations, it ordered the expulsion and action against the officers issuing NOC's for the violators.