Hyderabad: The Telangana State government, which is on a spree, demolishing illegal private structures that have come up within the full-tank level and buffer zones of lakes within the city’s limits, has realised that several government structures are also within the limits of water bodies in violation of the Water, Land and Trees Act, 2002.
Within the first month of its formation, the TS government had directed the GHMC to submit a report on unauthorised buildings that had come up within the FTLs, buffer zones of lakes, tanks, nalas and government lands.
The Hyderabad Boat Club located at Hussainsagar, owned by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, has certain unauthorised constructions towards the south-west corner.
The Hyderabad Golf Club course at Golconda, owned by the tourism department, is within the limits of the Naya Qila Talab. The National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management is in the limits of the Rammanakunta Lake.
Some road expansions by the government have also violated norms. Thakur Rajkumar Singh of the Human Rights and Consumer Protection Cell, said, “Road expansion along the Botanical Garden, Gachibowli, from 100 feet to 150 feet, is coming within the limits the Kondapur Forest Lake and Botanical Garden Lake.”
A GHMC city planning wing official said, “Besides private constructions, there are certain state structures that are in the FTL and buffer zone limits. Action will be taken on the direction of the government after the detailed report is submitted.” Some of these illegal structures even have GHMC permission.
Meanwhile SCB helpline to clarify demolition issues
Following a report in these columns about 100 apartments in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board region that face the threat of being demolished, the Board has decided to launch a helpline centre.
This move comes after people seeking clarification over the procedures involved regarding the legality of these structures. The Board will also have an online database.
Chief executive officer of the Board, Sujatha Gupta, said, “To clear doubts and give updates, we will open a helpline centre with four to five toll free numbers, for the people to seek clarification on property purchase and other details. The data of the illegal and unauthorised buildings will also be updated on our website.”
