HYDERABAD: Residents of North Park Avenue at Thumkunta, comprising retired government employees, have appealed to the authorities to safeguard the space earmarked for a park in the layout that has been duly approved by HUDA and the then gram panchayat of Thumkunta. The senior citizens fear that land sharks, enjoying the patronage of local leaders, are eying the park area in the residential colony.
The plot owners had purchased the land 20 years back. Presently there are three apartment buildings and independent houses. The plot owners association secretary Malla Surender Kumar, a retired government officer, told Deccan Chronicle about their fears and plight.
“We formed the association about 20 years back. On the park land, the developer constructed a small swimming pool in 1996. As many flats are under construction, we thought of developing a park and constructed basement on three sides. Now the local leaders are not allowing us to develop the park. They want to grab the land in connivance with local officials.”
Going further, Kumar said, “We approached the district collector of Malkajgiri Medchal on June 24 but he merely forwarded our letter to the commissioner Thumkunta. As we did not get any help, we are hoping the media would take up our cause and help get protection from the government.”
He added, “We are around fifty members in the committee. The park land is 2200 sq.yds. Whenever we enter the park, the local leaders start raising objections.”
