It’s Secunderabad Cantonment Board’s marriage of convenience with halls
3 Oct 2015 12:40 PM IST
Board acts tough against illegal structures selectively
Representational image
Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board authorities have taken a tough stand against function hall owners who have built illegal structures on the premises of old grant bungalows but ‘selectively’. The VIP function halls namely Malla Reddy Gardens, Imperial and Classic gardens, Jewel function hall and Lee palace have never faced any demolition despite operating on a commercial basis. There are nearly 40 function halls located in Balamrai, Sikh Village and Sapper Lines in the Cantonment area and few in the Paradise area.
A year ago, SCB authorities’ razed Millennium garden near Tivoli cross roads, Agrasen Bhavan. The Agarwal community protested against this move of the SCB. While Sri Lakshmi Garden near Bowenpally was knocked off in the same year. Also plot numbers 180, 181, and 186 in Bowenpally, were razed.
The SCB has about 140 grand bungalows which are over 80 years old and mostly found in Bolarum, Diamond Point, Bowenpally and other areas. Many have been converted into function halls and other commercial establishments. Though SCB authorities are aware about the existence of old buildings, they do not have any records about the number of buildings converted into function halls and commercial establishments. Unlike the GHMC, SCB authorities do not take up any enumeration of these buildings and about their structural stability.
The SCB rule states, “any commercial activity in old grant bungalows is banned”. However many have knocked on the doors of the court and got stay orders. KJR Garden and ViceRoy garden also remain untouched. Mr Arul Reddy of Bowempally said traffic jams are repeated problems at these function halls as they don’t have parking space. The cars are parked on the main roads and with regard to sanitation, because of the commercial activity a lot of regular underground lines are choked.
Main roads turn into parking lots:
Despite concerns of peace being disturbed, the GHMC has granted permission for function halls in residential areas. Residents of Shunk Colony, AS Rao Nagar, have complained to Kapra circle officials regarding the construction approved in the colony. They alleged that during functions, the main road at Sindhi Colony and West Marredpally (beside YWCA) becomes a parking lot.
Residents of Saroornagar have lodged a complaint against Ashoka Function Hall, saying that every week the hall was occupied and music went on till late into the night. Mr Eshwar Prasad of Saroornagar, said, "My family members and I are continually disturbed with the noise from the function hall. My mother passed away recently due to a heart attack, she was unable to sleep properly due to the disturbance caused by this function hall. Kindly help us. This is purely a residential area and we wonder, how the Municipality could give permission for a function hall.”
According to the police, for any occasion with music, the organisers must seek police permission. Anyone violating the norms will face action as per the Hyderabad Town Nuisance Act. Since it is a non-cognisable offence, violators won’t face jail but will be heavily fined.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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