Demolition drive: Illegal Ayyappa buildings razed

Hyderabad: Following a green signal from the Chief Minister and orders from the High Court, the GHMC is finally cracking down on the controversial Gurukul Ghatkesar land (Ayyappa Society) in Madhapur and has started demolishing 21 identified illegal under-construction buildings.

On Tuesday, two such structures were razed to the ground completely and 14 others were demolished. The municipal corporation also dumped debris in the cellars, which were being constructed without permission.

The demolition drive led to mild tension as builders and land owners resisted. Serilingampally MLA Arikepudi Gandhi was arrested as a preventive measure for obstructing the drive. Five teams, including officials from town planning and engineering wings, along with 200 police personnel, were deployed.

Builders and locals meanwhile alleged that the officials were being selective by sparing some unauthorised buildings that had already been constructed, and demanded that the illegal houses be regularised.

Most of the buildings demolished were supposed to be commercial establishments. Of the 16 under-construction buildings, five structures had completed four floors, two had completed three floors, four were at the ground level and two were at the cellar level when they were demolished.

Commissioner of GHMC Somesh Kumar said, “A detailed plot-wise report of state land illegally occupied is being prepared. Data is also being collected from the  Water and Electricity Boards.” The civic body has appealed to citizens to inform GHMC regarding such cases to the 24x7 GHMC call centre  at 21111111, so that action can be taken.