The Hindu Telangana (Hyderabad) 28.09.2016
240 illegal structures demolished in Hyderabad
In a swift move, the Telangana government razed down more than 200 illegal structures on a single day on Tuesday in various parts of the Greater Hyderabad region.
The Telangana government, which had promised to act severely on encroachments and illegal constructions on nullahs and lakes, sent squads comprising municipal, revenue, police and other department officials to remove structures in all the 24 circles under the control of the civic body. In two days, the number of illegal structures demolished crossed 240.
In some areas like Gachibowli, Banjara Hills, Malkajgiri, Ashok Nagar, Yellareddyguda, Balanagar and Kapra, residential and commercial structures built on nullahs were demolished. In Deepti Sri Nagar in Nizampet, which was flooded in recent rains, four buildings were brought down.
The squads also pulled down unauthorised floors and buildings. Pillars and floors were broken down in Somajiguda, Kawadiguda, LB Nagar and other areas. A number of dilapidated structures were also bulldozed. The squads were instructed to initially go after illegal structures that were commercial with no court order in their favour.
Some residents tried but failed to prevent the authorities from carrying out the demolitions. Property owners argued that the drive was illegal as they were not given prior notice.
Responding to the State government’s call for information on illegal constructions, 118 complaints were received on the GHMC helpline.
The government has kept 3,639 houses ready for BPL families who will be affected in the drive. These houses, located on the city outskirts in Qutbullapur, Shamshabad and Bandlaguda, were built under the JNNURM housing scheme. GHMC officials also conducted a check on 379 hotels and slapped Rs 1.4 lakh in penalties for offences such as illegal dumping of waste.
