Illegal constructions have reached 40,000
Hyderabad, Trinet News, September 24: The attitude of GHMC officials regarding illegal constructions and encroachments in the core urban region is drawing severe criticism. Following the recent collapse of a seven-story building in Gachibowli's Anjaiah Nagar that killed two people, the Cyberabad and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation officials immediately responded by cracking down on illegal structures. They are issuing 24-hour notices to buildings that violate permissions and carrying out demolitions.
However, anger is mounting among city residents that the GHMC—the largest corporation, despite having adequate machinery and staff—is failing to take any enforcement action. More than half of the petitions received during the 'Prajavani' program held every Monday at the GHMC head office are about illegal constructions. Officials are ignoring illegal structures coming up just a stone's throw away from the head office. When questioned, officials are citing election duties like the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) as an excuse.
Interestingly, officials of the CMC and MMC, despite having fewer staff and handling election duties, are regularly clearing footpath encroachments, roads, and drain occupations every Saturday. According to details submitted to the court during past accidents, there were 30,000 illegal constructions within the GHMC limits, and that number has now reportedly reached nearly 40,000.
Although there are clear directives to clear footpath encroachments every week, the process has completely stopped in the GHMC for the past few months. While neighboring corporations are moving forward with strict action, the failure of GHMC officials to even conduct field inspections despite heaps of complaints raises several suspicions.
