Hyderabad: Just a day after HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath inspected an illegal seven-storey building in Madhapur’s Ayyappa Society, the agency’s demolition teams swung into action on Sunday and brought down the unauthorised structure.
The building was constructed on 684 square yards in Serilingampally Mandal’s Khanamet village with a cellar, ground floor and five floors without proper permissions. It has been at the centre of several complaints from local residents.
Despite GHMC notices and High Court orders, the builder had gone ahead with the construction, even repairing slabs that were partially demolished by GHMC.
HYDRAA officials began the demolition work early on Sunday morning, and it continued into the night.
A writ petition was filed in the High Court against the construction last April, naming the state government, GHMC and K. Neelima, constructor of the building. The petitioner stated that he filed a complaint with the GHMC on February 20 about the illegal construction, but no action was taken by the corporation.
GHMC’s counsel informed the High Court that even before the petition was filed, they had issued show cause notices to Neelima, demanding a written statement in person. Neither did they reply nor had she appeared before the corporation, officials said. GHMC, on February 26, issued a speaking order that the construction was illegal.
After the High Court issued directions to both the state government and the GHMC to expedite action, the corporation partially demolished the construction in June. But the construction continued, and the demolished parts were rebuilt.
When HYDRAA received many complaints from the locals about the illegal construction, the authorities checked the documents and the commissioner inspected the premises.
Commissioner Ranganath noted that nearly all constructions in Ayyappa Society were illegal, with many serving as hostels for students and employees.
“I observed drainage and sewage flowing on the road, especially early mornings. Residents reported that fecal matter and sewage spill over due to inadequate drainage systems. It’s a very pathetic state of affairs,” he added.
Ranganath also stated that HYDRAA, in coordination with the GHMC commissioner, was planning to address the issue of proliferation of illegal constructions in the area, and as a starting point, they aim to demolish buildings for which the High Court has issued explicit demolition orders.
