Locals Protest 'Grab' of Plot by Ex-Army Personnel
With the monsoon intensifying, affected families say they are preparing to launch protests, demanding that the Cantonment Board halt the construction and restore the nala’s natural flow before the next heavy rains.
Hyderabad: Despite repeated objections from locals and board members, illegal constructions on a six-and-a-half-acre private plot near the AOC Regimental area in Secunderabad have continued unchecked for years. The site’s original stormwater drain remains diverted, leaving several nearby colonies at risk of flooding.
Residents of Gandhinagar, Durga Gardens, Hanumanth Rao Gardens, Ganeshnagar and Wellington Enclave say blocked and rerouted stormwater channels have made their homes vulnerable to waterlogging every monsoon. “We have been raising this for years, but there is no action. This is not just about a building, it’s about the nala and our safety,” said Aarti R., a resident.
The controversy dates back to at least 2015, when the AOC Regimental Association, reportedly run by retired Army personnel, constructed a function hall without approval. Although the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) issued notices at the time, a fresh application was later filed for the same building even while construction was halfway through. Board members objected, but the structure was eventually legalised during a December 2021 board meeting by imposing double development charges.
Civilian-nominated board member Ramakrishna raised the matter again in a subsequent meeting, pointing out that officials were not even allowed to inspect the site. Though the board resolved to modernise and redirect the nala using funds collected from the association, residents say no work has been carried out to date.
Local communities allege that three natural stormwater drains flowing through the disputed plot have been completely altered, worsening flood risks for civilian colonies and even affecting nearby defence land. Another round of unauthorised construction has reportedly begun, but there has been no official response so far.
With the monsoon intensifying, affected families say they are preparing to launch protests, demanding that the Cantonment Board halt the construction and restore the nala’s natural flow before the next heavy rains.