Adilabad Civic Body Plans to Clear Khanapur Tank Encroachments

The Adilabad Municipality aims to remove 129 houses identified as encroachments on Khanapur tank here as it rolls out a `68-crore development project funded under the Centre's Urban Challenge Fund (UCF).

The houses marked for removal are located in Kholipura, Bokkalguda and Khanapur colonies.

The civic body wants to develop the tank as a tourist destination and is seeking to utilise the sanctioned funds through fast-paced work within the stipulated period.

Municipal officials said they have marked 129 houses built within the tank area for removal. Irrigation officials, however, identified around 370 houses encroaching on the tank, including its buffer zone. The municipal authorities are considering allotment of government land at Bangariguda for relocation of some of the families.

The UCF scheme launched by the Union urban affairs ministry lists Adilabad among the municipalities selected for urban development assistance. Hence, the state government is keen on removing the encroachments from the tank to protect water bodies amid concerns over climate change and the El Niño effect.

Adilabad MLA Payal Shankar and MP Godam Nagesh laid the foundation for the development works a few months ago.

During the rainy season, officials had to assist families living in houses built on the tank area. For, the rising water levels have inundated several areas, and water entered the homes.

The proposed works include a drainage water treatment plant, a 6mw floating solar power plant, a floating restaurant connected by a ropeway, development of the tank bund and a boating facility.

Residents have expressed reservations about vacating their houses and sought clarity on rehabilitation arrangements.

Sheikh Babasha, a resident of Kholipura and a former MIM councillor, said residents were unwilling to leave their homes and move to the proposed relocation site.

Chinthala Anitha, another resident, said they were not ready to vacate their house for the tank development and questioned where her family would go.

She said residents would not object to the development if the authorities left a 30-foot space between their houses and the tank, which she said could save many houses built in the buffer zone.

Sheikh Ayub, 70, of Kholipura said his family had lived at the same place for the past 50 years. He said they were willing to move if the state government allotted a plot in or around Adilabad town and provided `5 lakh to construct a house.

Chand Bhee of Kholipura said the government should allot a constructed house as part of the rehabilitation package. She said the families had lived in the area for many years without disturbing anyone.

A municipal official has reportedly written to the Indian Air Force seeking assistance for the development and beautification of Khanapur tank, as the area is close to the proposed joint-use airfield at Adilabad.

Meanwhile, a team of Congressmen led by DCC president Naresh Jadhav visited the houses marked for removal in the three colonies and interacted with residents. The delegation later met additional collector S Rajeshwar and discussed the issue, seeking a permanent solution.

Officials are expected to hold a meeting with the affected households and political leaders.

Naresh Jadhav said, “They will allot 2BHK and will be accommodated in Indiramma houses to lead a better life instead of a congested and horrible life in a small house.”