Aliya College building found to be structurally unsafe
Hyderabad: With the onset of the monsoon, municipal authorities in the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) area have come under intense scrutiny for failing to act on dilapidated structures, illegal cellar excavations and unsafe temporary shelters in vulnerable locations across the city.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has identified over 400 dilapidated structures in its jurisdiction. However, officials said the exercise has not been effectively carried out in the newly formed Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) due to staff shortage.
Some educational institutions have also been flagged. Aliya Government Junior College in Gunfoundary was found to be structurally unsafe, with vegetation growing on its walls at several places.
Despite a ban on cellar excavation during the monsoon, violations have been reported. In Musheerabad circle, excavation activity led to the collapse of a retaining wall of an adjacent apartment.
In GHMC limits, a majority of unsafe structures are located in the Rajendranagar zone, covering Chandrayangutta, Jangammet, Attapur and Rajendranagar circles. Officials said such structures are not confined to the Old City and its peripheries, but are also present in CMC areas such as Kukatpally, Kompally and Serilingampally.
Many of these buildings are located in former village areas, including Narsingi, Hydershakote, Kompally and Medchal. In MMC limits, dozens of unsafe structures have been reported in Saroornagar, Alwal, Uppal, Moulali and Nagole.
Officials said identification and issuance of notices have not been completed in CMC and MMC, while cellar excavation activity continues at multiple locations in these jurisdictions.
According to GHMC officials, 377 buildings have been listed as structurally unfit. “ In addition to the list of existing dilapidated buildings, we will conduct a citywide survey to identify dilapidated structures, compound walls that are in bad shape and also cellar excavation,” said a GHMC official.
“Commissioner R.V. Karnan has given us instructions to stop the works where illegal cellar excavation is underway, revoke their permission and also proceed with the filing of criminal cases,” he added.
With the monsoon underway, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has directed officials to report dilapidated structures. A helpline number, 9000113667, has been issued for reporting such cases.
