The Times of India        24.12.2014  

GHMC’s demolition drive in Old City draws traders’ ire

HYDERABAD: Traders on Tuesday objected to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's demolition drive along the Kali Kaman - Gulzar Houz stretch for road widening.

GHMC officials told TOI that the corporation was unable to proceed with demolition of eight properties belonging to the same person since 2005 on account of court cases. However, with the cases being settled and cheques being handed over as compensation for land acquisition, the GHMC was now able to go ahead with the demolition for road widening.

No sooner than the corporation began the demolition, mild tension prevailed. Businessmen, who are tenants in the affected properties, raised a hue and cry. They claimed that the GHMC had not given them adequate time to vacate their places of business.

"If is festival season. Business will be severely affected if we are asked to vacate immediately," a trader said.

However, GHMC officials said that the traders were aware of the proceeding of the court with respect to the acquisition of properties.

"We explained to them that demolition will happen as scheduled as compensation was handed over," said GHMC section officer Mehdi Ali, who was supervising the demolition.