KHAMMAM: Some leaders of the ruling party including former councillors have encroached on valuable sites and road margins of Municipal Corporation and are getting lakhs of rupees rents by leasing them out to small and marginal traders. Municipal Corporation officials are lethargic in taking steps to remove such illegal constructions and ensure hassle-free traffic on internal roads. According to sources, about 10 leaders of the ruling TRS party are playing a key role in illegal encroachments and dominating officials concerned.
Encroachments are observed at Raparthi Nagar, Rotary Nagar, Saradhi Nagar, Gandhi Chowk, Burma Shell Road, Head Post Office area, Ravisetty area, Sambani Nagar, New LIC Office area, Centre gate and Pulipati Prasad Paramedical area in the town.Encroachers have constructed permanent and temporary constructions and leased them out to small traders for `5,000 to `20,000 per month.
They have taken `10,000 to `50,000 as advance for each shop and each trader. Though this has been going on for many years neither the corporation or Revenue officials have taken any action. One person constructed a complex at Sambani Nagar by occupying 800 yards allotted to Social Welfare department and leased it out.
Similarly, another person erected a cell tower on the Corporation site and road and gave it to lease. Some land near LIC Office is encroached to construct shops to give on rent. There are many business surrounding HPO given on rent for ` 5,000 to `10,000 with `50,000 advance from each.Surprisingly, they got power connections, meters and house numbers for their illegal constructions. Encroachers threaten non corrupt officials with transfer warnings.