As graft peaks in Town Planning wing… Illegal constructions mushroom across Hyderabad

As graft peaks in Town Planning wing… Illegal constructions

mushroom across Hyderabad

Hyderabad: With many of the Town Planning officials carrying a price to look the other way, it is but natural that unauthorised constructions and illegal structures continue to mushroom across the Greater Hyderabad region.

There are widespread allegations that corrupt officials are turning a blind eye to deviations from sanctioned plans, casting of slabs to build additional illegal floors, and brazen construction of additional floors in violation of the Floor Space Index (FSI) or Floor Area Ratio (FAR) allowed for the plot.

There are allegations that illegal slabs and additional floors are coming up because ‘smart builders’ – those having nexus with netas and officials -- are being allegedly asked to pay, say Rs 1 lakh and more for each unauthorised slab.

In several parts of the city, buildings approved for a specified number of floors are being expanded vertically, with additional floors being constructed without the required permissions. Residents and complainants allege that the violations are not taking place in secrecy, but under the watch of higher officials in Town Planning and other related departments.

The modus operandi involves obtaining permission for a smaller structure and thereafter adding multiple floors after bribing civic officials. In most cases, by the time action is initiated, the structures are often completed and occupied, making demolition or other enforcement considerably more difficult.

The Town Planning Departments of the three municipal corporations have inured themselves to charges of graft so much so that activists describe them as “cesspools of corruption”.

Well-meaning officials have identified around 2,000 unauthorised constructions across the core urban region in Hyderabad. The violations range from the construction of unauthorised additional floors and encroachment of govt and private lands, failure to maintain mandatory setbacks, and casting of slabs without the required approvals.

According to residents, illegal constructions are allowed to continue after payments are made to officials. It is claimed that Town Planning officers charge not less than Rs 1 lakh and up to Rs 5 lakh for every unauthorised slab, depending on the size of the property and locality, with shares of the collections reportedly going to various officers, and, in some cases to local netas.

Asif Hussain Sohail, president of the Jubilee Hills Constituency Colonies Forum, said that those raising their voice against unauthorised constructions are facing threats. He claimed that the collection could amount to Rs 2 lakh per slab and more in Tolichowki area, with the amounts allegedly being shared among officials, public representatives, and political leaders.

He amplifies: “As per officials, the unauthorised constructions are being detected and notices are issued. Why do several structures continue to rise floor after floor?” he asked.

“On plots measuring just 100 to 150 square yards, six to eight floors are a common sight in the area. There are more than 100 such buildings across various colonies, and constructions are still continuing,” he added.

Asif Hussain demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into the alleged nexus between officials, local political representatives, and builders on illegal constructions.

K Venkatesh, a resident of Uppal, highlighted how the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation gave permissions for constructing huge buildings even on small land parcels of less than 100 sq yards. He said illegal constructions were due to negligence of the civic body and blamed the GHMC and local leaders who are hand in glove.

“Residents are facing problems with inadequate water supply and sewerage systems. Also, fire safety issues with mandatory setbacks are not being maintained. Such buildings are becoming death traps during emergencies,” he observed.

Mohammed Ahmed, a resident of Old city, said that several localities in the Old city have unauthorized structures. Every other construction is illegal. There are hundreds of structures which have G+5 and G+6 floors with basements, despite permission for only G+2 and G+3 floors.

“Even after complaints to the GHMC, nothing has been done. Constructions are on at a fast pace. It seems civic authorities and local leaders have joined hands to promote illegal constructions in the Old City,” he added.