No plans to demolish illegal buildings: GHMC

Hyderabad: The GHMC is not demolishing illegal buildings keeping the elections in mind. The civic body, which had identified more than 50,000 illegal buildings and had planned a massive drive, has now submitted a proposal to the government on introducing a building regularisation scheme. The scheme could earn the Corporation Rs 600 crore.

In case the GHMC does carry out a demolition drive, 40 per cent of the earmarked buildings, especially in the adjoining municipalities, will have to be demolished.

In July 2014, soon after the TRS government came to power, a massive drive was held at Ayyappa Society, Madhapur largely occupied by people from that colony.

Around 60 buildings — complete and under-construction — were demolished.The government, however, received a lot of flak from many sections and the drive was stopped.

For a while, tension had prevailed at Chandrayangutta and Barkas when town planning officials of GHMC had made an abortive attempt to demolish a residential-cum-commercial building belonging to an MIM leader.

The corporation had prepared a list of 1500-plus buildings, including the ones stuck in court cases and won by the body, to be demolished but nothing was done. Sources say that the GHMC has softened its stand as the TRS wants to build up its cadre strength.

However, an official from the Corporation’s town planning wing said, “Notices are being issued to all the buildings that have violated regulations. There are some instances of court cases etc., our staff are in the process of preparing notices. The police is also being approached for help and assistance.”