Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation breaks Supreme Court rules

Hyderabad: In violation of the Supreme Court’s orders which prohibit any construction within the full tank level of any water body, the GHMC has granted permission to a private builder to establish a commercial complex (tennis court) within the FTL of  the Kapra lake in Sainikpuri.

A PIL was filed by a non-governmental organisation on Friday alleging violations of these rules at the Kapra lake. The HMDA’s master plan clearly shows the area permitted for construction as a lake bed.

Locals allege that the private builder is backed by a Congress MLA and hence, got the permission easily. Earlier this year, the HMDA,  granted permission for the construction of a five-level complex within the FTL of Muskin Cheruvu.

Currently, a temporary shed and tennis court are being constructed at Survey 634 at Kapra. The GHMC granted permission for this on February 22, 2014 (permission no. BA/G1/322/15/2013-14). The building permit order was granted to one B. Anand (stated in the certificate).

Chakri S., a civic activist, claimed that the tennis court is being constructed between FTL pillars no. 7 and 8

Cartloads of earth have been dumped on the lake bed near FTL pillar no. 9 in order to raise the level of the bed. Five to 10 loads of coarse rubble have also been dumped near the same pillar. A gravel road has been built in the middle of the lake connecting the east and west shores of the water body.

Locals have alleged that though the permission has been granted by the GHMC to Mr. Anand and three others, the actual owner who was given permission is a private builder called G. Bal Reddy, from North Lalaguda, who is backed by a local politician.

He has leased it to Mr Anand and the three others involved. Mr Reddy claims to be the owner of the land which is a water body. Local residents have also added that as per rules, only farming activities are permitted if the water levels in a water body decrease.