Brazen land sharks cock a snook at officials

Quthbullapur: In yet another incident of official negligence, the site for proposed park, for which a foundation was laid by the local MLA, is encroached by land sharks.

MLA KP Vivekanand, along with TRS division president KM Prathap and officials, laid foundation for construction of park at Bhumireddy Nagar six months ago. But days after the event, almost 1100 sq. yards of the proposed site, which is estimated to be worth Rs 4 crore, was allegedly encroached by some miscreants. A shed and compound wall were also constructed on the site.

Ironically, the place is very nearer to the residences of MLA and other prominent political leaders. After encroachments, locals rushed to the corporator and complained about the incident. It is also learnt that the MLA visited the site and assessed the situation. But no action has been initiated so far.

As the news of encroachment spread through media reports, the GHMC Section Officer Satirtha, along with staff, demolished the unauthorised structures on the site. Surprisingly, the brazen encroachers re-built the structures and arranged even gates within 24 hours of demolitions. Locals are shocked by the structures that sprang overnight.

For reasons best known to them, the town planning officials also helplessly watching the illegal activity. There are several questions raised by the public, which remain unanswered. How could the site of park be encroached after MLA laid stone for it? What 'force' is behind re-appearance of demolished structures overnight? Why are the officials so scared of acting tough on miscreants behind the act? Why is the MLA still mum about the encroachment?

It is to be noted that municipal parks in the Quthbullapur are hardly found. The parks in small areas are developed by respective colony associations. Locals lament that they have to go far distances to visit parks. Children in the localities are deprived of fun, frolic and play due to absence of municipal parks. They appeal to the authorities to respond quickly to curb the violations and see that the park is constructed for the refreshment for the locals.