HYDERABAD: Colony welfare associations, tasked with protecting public amenities like parks and roads, are allegedly facilitating their encroachment, with plots being sold or handed over to traders.
At the Prajavani programme on Monday, a major complaint was raised about the illegal occupation of an 1,800 sq. yd. park in Sai Lakshmi Layout, falling under Survey Nos. 181 and 183 within Nizampet Municipal Corporation limits.
Despite layout plans designating these spaces for public use, residents alleged that parks and roads — spanning about five acres in Survey Nos. 153, 154 and 155 — have “vanished”. A 2.3-acre park in VNR Layout was also reported encroached.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath reviewed the locations using Google Maps and directed officials to take action. A total of 61 complaints were recorded during Monday’s session.
In Hydernagar, Kukatpally, plot owners from Diamond Hills Colony alleged complete takeover of their nine-acre layout with 70 residential plots, including public roads and parks. In Devaryamjal village of Thumukunta Municipality, residents reported that a 40-ft-wide road between Kandlakoya and Devarayanjal, connecting the National Highway and ORR, was blocked by a wall, disrupting traffic.
In Hayathnagar, squatters have reportedly taken over a 2,955 sq. yd. GHMC park in Tirumala Housing Colony, defying a Telangana High Court verdict ordering their eviction.
Quick action
Residents of Indira Gandhi Cooperative Housing Society in Rajendranagar praised HYDRAA after walls built across a 20-ft road connecting the 60-ft Kattedan–Sri Ram Colony road were removed on May 6. The demolition restored connectivity for over 800 plots in the society and neighbouring Sri Ramnagar Colony, saving residents a four-kilometre detour.