Unauthorised Constructions Emerging as a Civic Issue Ahead of Urban Polls

Tirupati: With urban local body elections underway, the unchecked growth of illegal buildings has emerged as a key civic issue in towns and cities across Chittoor and Tirupati districts. Hundreds of unauthorised structures have been reported in several urban centres, raising concerns over the enforcement of building regulations, encroachments of public land, and the impact of unplanned construction on civic infrastructure.

Residents want candidates to address the issue and explain how they would prevent violations and ensure that municipal planning officials perform their duties. They allege that unauthorised buildings have continued to come up despite rules governing construction and restrictions on the use of certain categories of land.

Official figures of six urban local bodies show that Tirupati has 250 unauthorised buildings against 700 buildings with permissions. Chittoor has 180 unauthorised structures and 380 permitted buildings. Puttur and Nagari have 45 unauthorised buildings each, while Palamaner has 35 and Kuppam 25.

In Tirupati, construction activity has raised a particular concern because of the presence of government land, canals, water bodies, poramboke land, TTD properties, and plots included in the prohibited list under Section 22(A). About 10,683 acres in Thimminaidupalem, Akkarampalle, Chennaiahgunta, Mangalam, and parts of Tirupati city and rural limits fall under the prohibited list.

Unauthorised constructions have been reported in Korlgunta, Reddy and Reddy Colony, Railway Station area, Chintalachenu, Sivajyothi Nagar, Yashoda Nagar, Bhavani Nagar, and Giripuram. The reported violations have raised questions about how buildings are being constructed in areas where land restrictions apply.

A Planning Department official of the Tirupati Municipal Corporation said unauthorised buildings would be identified and the matter discussed after the new governing bodies are formed. The official said legal action would be initiated against town planning personnel found negligent in their duties.

Chittoor city is also facing the problem of unauthorised constructions, particularly in newly developing residential colonies. In Puttur, buildings are reportedly coming up along the Narayanavanam bypass road, including on lands acquired for expansion of the national highway.

Residents allege that municipal authorities have failed to check such activity. Political pressure has discouraged officials from acting against violations. Unregulated construction can obstruct natural drainage channels and aggravate waterlogging during heavy rains, adding to the difficulties faced by residents.

With elections underway, residents expect mayoral and chairperson candidates to address the issue as part of their urban development plans. They want the incoming municipal administrations to verify building permissions, protect public properties, and take action against violations.