Hyderabad: The State Government is working on a large-scale project to remove illegal constructions from lakes and water bodies. They aim to demolish not only properties owned by influential people but also illegal residential apartments and colonies built in Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones.
The government plans to conduct a scientific study and create a fool-proof action plan. This is because they want to avoid upsetting middle-class families who bought these properties, believing they had all the necessary approvals from the authorities.
Sources reveal that HYDRA (Hyderabad Urban Development Authority) has already sent notices to the owners of 315 houses in several areas, including Uppal, Peerzadiguda, Kukatpally, and Chandanagar. In Hasmathpet colony alone, 140 families received notices for building houses in the FTL of Boin Cheruvu. Additionally, over 20 families in Allapur, Kukatpally mandal, were served notices for constructing homes in the FTL area of Sunnam lake. Another 40 property owners received notices for building houses in Ambir Cheruvu FTL.
Furthermore, 65 families in the Champapet area were served notices for violating regulations by constructing houses in Gangaram Pedda Cheruvu. In the Peerzadiguda corporation limits, 50 families were asked to respond to show-cause notices for building in the Pedda Cheruvu FTL. Officials noted that thousands of colonies and apartments across the city were built by violating government norms.
Some of the illegal constructions include large colonies developed in the 1980s and 1990s within Hyderabad city limits. These colonies were often built on lake beds, and in some cases, entire water bodies were encroached upon. The number of illegal buildings around lakes owned by VIPs and influential people, such as top bureaucrats, film actors, and industrialists, is relatively small. However, a recent survey by civic authorities has revealed shocking details.
Many colonies in Hyderabad were developed by encroaching on lakes. Creating an accurate list of colonies and apartments built in FTL and buffer zones will require substantial effort. Demolishing these structures won’t be easy, and the government wants to proceed cautiously to prevent any social or political unrest.
