Objective is to address the illegal constructions listed in GO 111?
How many will be demolished? How many will be halted?
The Revanth Reddy government initially limited Hydra’s authority to curb illegal constructions to areas up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). However, with significant illegal construction occurring beyond the ORR and within GO 111 boundaries, Hydra’s scope is now being expanded. A new list of targeted areas, including Moinabad, is circulating on social media.
The government has also decided to empower Hydra to issue demolition notices and advance warnings against obstructions, with the authority to name individuals involved. Reports suggest that Hydra is preparing to target illegal constructions beyond the ORR and within GO 111, with preparations underway for demolitions in Moinabad. A list of 46 constructions in various village panchayats within Moinabad mandal has been widely shared, indicating substantial targets.
Field-level inspection complete
Municipal and revenue officials have collected data on illegal constructions in Kishanguda, Rallaguda, Bandlaguda within Shamshabad municipality, and in Chilkur, Surangal, and Kanakamamidi in Moinabad. Field inspections are underway to verify these constructions and check for proper permits. Information on these permits is being reviewed to determine further actions.
The list reveals significant landholdings by individuals and organizations in Moinabad. For instance, Srinivasa Padmavathi Developers has 17 acres in Moinabad Himayatnagar Village Panchayat, and Santosh Reddy of Dream Valley holds 11.34 acres. Other notable properties include Dream Valley’s 63 acres in Bakaram, Nandan Singh’s 36.27 acres in Nagireddyguda, and City Square’s 20 acres in Khasimbawli Village Panchayat. Developments include NRI Colony-2 in Kanakamamidi, various projects in Surangal like Prestige Developers, AMR, and Frames Five, and several layouts and resorts in Chilkur, such as Kalpavruksha Samruddhi Layout and Palm Springs Resorts in Reddipally. Additionally, buildings in Appareddiguda, Kethireddipalli, and Venkatapoor are listed in survey numbers.
No words, only action!
Both Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Hydra Commissioner AV Ranganath have confirmed that illegal constructions under GO 111 will be demolished without compromise. The Chief Minister emphasizes there will be no leniency once boundaries are crossed, and Hydra is focused solely on illegal constructions in FTLs and buffer zones. Officials are actively addressing complaints about encroachments on lake lands, conducting surveys, and taking immediate action. Hydra Commissioner Ranganath is alarming encroachers with field inspections and has stated that demolitions will proceed without prior notices.
The Revanth government has decided to assign the authority to issue notices for the removal of encroachments within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (Hydra). This decision was made because various departments such as Irrigation, GHMC, Municipalities, Panchayat Raj, among others are creating confusion by issuing conflicting notices regarding the removal of encroachments on lakes, ponds, parks, and government lands. To address this confusion, the government has resolved to consolidate the power to issue demolition notices with Hydra.
The Chief Secretary of the Municipal Department, Shanti Kumari, has been instructed to finalize the procedures for this. Additionally, extra personnel and staff from the Police, Survey, and Irrigation departments will be assigned to support Hydra. The management of FTL (Full Tank Level) encroachments, nalas (drainage channels), government lands, and park maintenance will also come under Hydra’s jurisdiction. Moreover, the protection of Gandipet and Himayatsagar lakes, which fall under the Water Board’s purview, will be transferred to Hydra. Essentially, Hydra will now have full powers, which could potentially lead to even more vigorous enforcement.
Concerns over illegal constructions in GO 111 areas
Many public figures, bureaucrats, film celebrities, sports personalities, and industrialists have bought large plots within GO 111 boundaries at low prices, developing them into residential and commercial properties, farmhouses, and resorts. The key issue now is whether the government will act against these properties and deploy bulldozers for demolition.
Meanwhile, there is speculation about the possible removal of GO 111, prompting some to rush construction of multi-story buildings in hopes of circumventing future regulations. This strategy involves building first and obtaining permits later, with the expectation that land prices will increase if new regulations replace GO 111. Consequently, they are rapidly erecting structures and selling flats in areas near Shamshabad, Bandlaguda Jagir, Narsingi, and Moinabad.
Crackdown on illegal constructions
Those who encroach and build indiscriminately for profit seem to be getting away with it. However, it is the innocent buyers who end up suffering in the middle. This is why the Revanth government is determined to put a stop to such practices. The government is committed to both clearing encroachments to protect lakes and safeguarding ordinary citizens from being defrauded.
To see how effective these efforts will be and what the results will turn out to be, we will have to wait for a few more days.
Do people have to drink drainage water?
“How can we stand by and watch while the lakes that quench the thirst of the twin cities — Himayatsagar and Gandipet — are being encroached upon? While the wealthy build farmhouses and villas and enjoy themselves, if drainage water ends up in these lakes, and people are left to drink that water, it would mean I have failed as a public representative,” says Revanth.
“Therefore, I don’t care who it is. In this matter, neither I nor Hydra will step back,” Revanth Reddy has made clear.
