HYDERABAD: The illegal constructions and unauthorised layout structures in the limits of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) have deprived the authority of a revenue of not less than `1,000 crore. “The HMDA will intensify the razing of illegal structures and unauthorised layouts in January and February next year by procuring modern demolition machines without delay,” HMDA metropolitan commissioner T.Chiranjeevulu said.
Speaking to Express, he said the state government is keen on checking illegal constructions and unauthorised layouts in Hyderabad metropolitan area. Over one lakh illegal structures, villas, apartments and 2,000 unapproved layouts have come up in the area in recent years, mostly in developing areas like Nizampet, Manikonda, Bandlaguda, Puppalguda and Peddamberpet.
This haphazard construction is leading to unscientific development and hampering the planned development of Greater Hyderabad.
During the special drive it launched last week, HMDA’s enforcement wing demolished 315 unauthorised buildings and dismantled 85 layouts.
Several developers and builders, without taking valid permission, are building residential and commercial complexes. Worse, they are doing it around the buffer zones of the water bodies and shikam lands. And, innocent citizens, without cross-checking with HMDA authorities, are falling prey to these unscrupulous developers and buying such properties. Such unauthorised developments have caused a revenue loss of ` 1,000 crore to HMDA, he said.
If developers and builders obtain permissions by paying the prescribed fees, the money can be utilised by HMDA to take up developmental works and new projects.
Starved of money, HMDA, which had a brand name in creation of developmental projects, could not take up a single worthwhile project in the last seven years except for the Outer Ring Road (ORR) which was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Every layout should have HMDA or DTCP permission. If not, HMDA will identify it as illegal and demolish it. Gram panchayats have no power to grant layout permissions. If if building or layout plans are approved, buyers can get loans from banks without hassle, Chiranjeevulu said and advised people to double- check before investing in flats built or plots developed without permission. Or else, they might lose their hard-earned money, he warned.