HYDERABAD: Poignant scenes were the order of the day in Musanagar, Shankarnagar and nearby areas on Tuesday as the authorities began demolishing houses built on the riverbed.
While some evictees could be seen taking a final stroll through their homes, others were busy packing their belongings to shift to the double-bedroom (2BHK) houses allotted by the government at Chanchalguda, Saidabad or other places.
Most of the evictees are daily-wagers, eking out a livelihood as domestic workers, vendors, construction workers, mechanics etc.
Expressing her anguish over losing her home, 40-year-old Hameeda Begum of Shankarnagar nostalgically recalled that she was the third generation of her family who have lived in the area.
2BHKs leave evictees with mixed feelings
Stating that the eviction was unprecedented, Hameeda told TNIE, “Most of us are less educated daily-wagers who had never heard of FTL or buffer zone in our lives. One day, the surveyors came for marking and asked us to vacate the house the next day itself. We could have been given at least a month’s time to make arrangements. Most of us are daily wagers and have to focus on our livelihood as well.”
Noting that the whole area was a forest during her childhood, Hameeda asked, “Why was the land legalised by the government to build houses and why were the houses registered?”
Sara Khatun, a tailor who has been residing in the locality for nearly 20 years, went to Chanchalguda to the allotted 2BHK. However, the visit was not to her expectation. “The 2BHK allotted to me is on the ninth floor and due to breathing issues I could not climb stairs. The lift was not working. I have not seen my flat so far,” she lamented.
Echoing her words, Hameeda claimed that the facility at Chanchalguda lacks even basic amenities. “The rooms there are very small and there is no proper arrangement of water or lift. We do not want to interfere in politics but when politicians can come to seek votes, why are they not here when we are facing such hardships?” she asked.
An official from the GHMC’s Town Planning wing told TNIE that of the 141 2BHK units, 132 have been allotted as of Tuesday. He said that the GHMC is providing vehicles for the oustees to shift their belongings and is also assisting the Revenue and Housing departments who are overseeing the evictions.
According to an independent survey carried by members of Civil Society, a total of 106 houses face demolition in Vinayaka Veedhi (Musanagar), Shankarnagar and Shiva Shankar Nagar.
Meanwhile, some residents complain that they have not yet been allotted 2BHK units. “Everybody in this lane has been allotted a house except me and my family. The authorities made us vacate our houses but when we asked them for our 2BHK unit, they said it will be given later. I have all the necessary documents as proof of ownership of this house,” said Mohammed Khaja Quraishi of Wahednagar. He has been living in a rented accommodation nearby paying Rs 10,000 per month.
Elsewhere, people whose houses were damaged or “washed away” during the 2020 floods are appealing to the government to consider them under the survey and allot 2BHK houses.
“In 2020, my house was damaged due to floods after which the authorities asked me not to rebuild as it is in the Musi catchment area. We were promised compensation and a 2BHK flat later.
That is why I did not construct another house. Now when we asked the surveyor, they did not give any proper response,” said Mohammed Shabbir of Shankarnagar. A few of his neighbours also face a similar situation.