Hyderabad: Hill County residents say rules violated, file petition

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) appears disinterested in pursuing complaints filed against unauthorised construction and structures violating norms, at Hill County in Bachupally in the city.

Individual owners are violating HMDA norms and Hill County Villa Owners Association bylaws and altering the construction of buildings. Despite this, HMDA has released 80 per cent of the mortgaged plots; around 64 units out of 81 units.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court by villa owners, Mr Ravindra Gulla and Ms Manthena Mani against HMDA’s inaction in checking illegal constructions in deviation of layout plan. The petitioners alleged that violations have altered the landscape of the gated community.

The petitioners had filed complaints with Bachpally Gram Panchayat and HMDA. HMDA issued notices to 14 individuals but no further action was taken.

Initially the project was taken up by Maytas Hill County Private Limited and as it failed to continue with the project. It was handed over to IL&FS which completed the construction.

According the bylaws of Hill County Villas Owners Association, “under obligations of the members and residents no member can make alterations on the front facade of the building that would vitiate the architectural harmony / homogeneity of the streetscape.’’

The brochure that contained unit bylaws said that changes cannot be made unless the prior consent of the Hill County property management and society is obtained.

On September 1, 2016, Hill County Properties Limited (HCPL) had issued a circular (a copy of which is available with the newspaper) to all owners of independent houses asking them to obtain prior permission from HCBL to carry out interior works. "In the event of interior or exterior works which are not in line with the layout approval carried out by residents then HMDA and Bachupally Gram Panchayat shall consider the same as unauthorised, illegal and will accordingly initiate action for removal, demolishing of authorised constructions..," it said.

In February 2015, HCPL said in a letter to villa owners to desist from building additional structures and unauthorised constructions. It noted that there were deviations like construction of extra rooms on the first floor, a room for domestic helps and bathrooms in the backyard. The front elevation was modified by extending walls on both sides of the units, underground sumps were constructed, ground floor portico was extended with RCC roof slabs and the balcony was converted into a room, it noted.

HCPL had issued notices to the violators then. “HMDA during their inspection, before partially releasing 64 units from their mortgage also identified these units.”
Meanwhile, the whistle blower-owners of the gated community have filed a complaint with Cyberabad police alleging that the violators have threatened them with physical injury and false cases.

P V Rao, CEO, Hill County refused to comment and said he is on one month leave. Mr Ratna Gopal of Hill County Owners Association also refused to comment.