Illegal Structures Reappear on City Roads and Footpaths After GHMC Removal

Hyderabad: Illegal structures have been reappearing on the city’s roads and footpaths, within days of the GHMC removing them.

In contrast, encroachments razed by HYDRAA appear to have been removed for good. Demolitions at Kukatpally lake, where multiple commercial establishments were removed, have not reappeared. The structures razed at Filmnagar by HYDRAA have also not make a comeback.

In November, the GHMC razed several structures belonging to businesses and commercial establishments to reclaim public spaces and reduce traffic congestion.

Officials cleared encroachments opposite the Nehru Zoological Park belonging to business establishments. Sheds, walkways and signboards of bakeries, tiffin centers and sweet shops which were encroaching the footpath were removed by the officials. But locals said that within three days, the businesses began encroaching the footpaths and walkways again.

In a similar fashion, encroachments which were removed at West Marredpally and Hakimpet returned to the same locations within days, with most of the signboards and stalls being set up back on footpaths and walkways again.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the constant encroachment. “We thought the demolition would solve the problem, but the encroachments are back as if nothing happened. GHMC should take legal action against the encroachers,” said Sunita Rao, a resident of West Marredpally.