With monsoon set to hit the State soon, the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC) seems to have realised the impending
problem of encroachment on storm water drains (nalas) only now.

The
civic body has sought individual sketches of around 500 such
properties. While it has identified 842 properties as critical
bottlenecks to be removed from various stretches across the twin cities,
the town planning and engineering wings have been ordered to
immediately prepare the structural compensation amount, even while
making statutory notices ready to be issued to 500 properties, as per
Commissioner B. Janardhan Reddy’s instructions.

These, along with
documentary proof of photographs, paper clippings, etc., should be
handed over to the GHMC standing counsels to apprise the same before the
civic courts to avoid any status quo orders that may hinder the
demolition process. If necessary, caveat petition should be filed in
lower courts.

Cellar excavation

Mr.
Reddy wanted daily progress reports to be submitted to the head office,
and for the entire exercise to be completed by June 15. No excavation
of cellars should be taken up during the monsoon, and if it cannot wait,
strengthening measures should be taken and old compound walls should be
removed. For sloped terrains, care should be taken to ensure hut
dwellers/temporary structures on the side of the retaining wall were
shifted.

Dilapidated buildings

Steps should be taken to issue notices to dilapidated buildings and ensure inhabitants vacate the property, Mr. Reddy said.