This story is from September 20, 2021

Hyderabad: Illegal buildings overrun green zones under GO 111 due to lax enforcement

Illegal buildings have mushroomed in Hyderabad metropolitan region, especially areas covered by GO 111, as the state failed to empower its own departments to enforce the rule of law. With mechanism to check or remove illegal structures tied in red tape, encroachers have had a field day for over a decade now.
Hyderabad: Illegal buildings overrun green zones under GO 111 due to lax enforcement
HYDERABAD: Illegal buildings have mushroomed in Hyderabad metropolitan region, especially areas covered by GO 111, as the state failed to empower its own departments to enforce the rule of law. With mechanism to check or remove illegal structures tied in red tape, encroachers have had a field day for over a decade now.
There is just one enforcement wing with 53 personnel for Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) which is spread over 7,200 sq km comprising seven districts, 70 mandals and 1,032 villages.
The 53 personnel includes a DYSP, a inspector, a SI and 50 home guards.
While the GO 111 itself covers 84 villages, including some gram panchayats and municipalities, which do not have any enforcement/demolition squads. The last major special drive by HMDA against illegal structures was in April, 2019.
Pointing out that gram panchayats and municipalities have done little to stop illegal structures, HMDA enforcement wing officials said they could hardly take up any action on their own. “Even for demolition, machinery such as JCBs have to be provided by either the planning or engineering wing.
To be effective, HMDA requires at least four enforcement wings for each zone — Medchal, Shamshabad, Shankerpally and Ghatkesar. Of these, most GO 111 areas are under Shamshabad and Shankerpally where thousands of illegal structures have come up,” a senior HMDA official told TOI.
Environmentalists and activists blamed municipal administration and Ranga Reddy district administration for only filing reports, but doing little to stop violation of GO 111.

According to activists, nearly 20 years ago the Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA), which was part of then Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (now HMDA), had identified 128 structures including 70 in the bio-conservation zone (GO 111).
Later, on November 3, 2007, the Ranga Reddy administration submitted a report to the high court on 2,465 illegal structures in catchment areas of Himayatsagar and Osmansagar (GO 111). Apart from them, 34 institutions and 261 illegal layouts were also identified.
“Unauthorised structures have come up in Shamshabad and Moinabad. While some had ground+1 permission, they raised multi-storied buildings including hotels and colleges,” said Forum For A Sustainable Environment convenor S Jeevananda Reddy.
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