GHMC demolishes over 60 nala encroachments

Hyderabad: The GHMC has taken a tough stand against nala encroachments and pulled down over 60 structures, obstructing free flow of water in the nala.  

A  demolition drive was taken up at Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma,  Zohra Bee Dargah, Yakutpura, Hashamabad Nala, Munri Nala and other places in the city. 

GHMC officials identified 738 unauthorised structures. Among these, 172 were retaining walls, 258 sheds, 179 single floor buildings, 117 double storey structures, 51 three-storey structures, 22 four-storey structures, four five storey structures and two six-storey structures.

GHMC authorities also decided to allot Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana  houses for the poor who constructed houses on the nalas. 

The structures of people below the poverty line will be compensated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Re-newal Mission. The demolition drive will continue till all critical bottlenecks on nalas are removed.

Meanwhile, about 40 encroachments were pulled down by the GHMC in Hashamabad, Uppuguda and Rein Bazaar on Saturday. The civic house has identified 144 encroachments.

High drama prevailed at Al Jubail colony when GHMC official came to clear the encroachments. Women complained that they had not received the notice.

“We convinced them to part with their properties as the entire colony is getting flooded during the rains. Two persons washed away due to the current in the nala. The GHMC is trying to re-move the encroachments for the last ten years and notices were issued several times,” said Mr V Satyanarayana, DCP (south).

Police said that the exercise will continue till all the identified encroachments in the Old City were cleared.

The GHMC will start demolition in Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills soon.