Officials busy with election duty, land sharks begin illegal constructions

Jeedimetla: With government officials busy in electoral duties, the land sharks are having a feast of time and are erecting illegal structures. Nearly about 40 years ago, the State government had allocated land to the weaker sections in survey no 107, near last bus stop in Suraram. The State Housing Board constructed 1,550 houses and distributed to the disabled beneficiaries. Size of each plot was 142 sq yards.

As the land price has been going up all these years, land sharks eyed on the vacant plots in the government land. Meanwhile, residents of the colony along with leaders approached authorities to construct a park in the 2,500 sq yard vacant land available in their locality. They submitted several applications in 'Praja Vani' programme in this regard.

But to their dismay, they found some constructions taking place in 800 sq yards of the vacant government land. Local resident Dayakar and president of the disabled association, Narender Reddy alleged that unauthorised constructions are coming up with the cooperation from the town planning officer and local political leaders. They made several rounds to the government offices and lodged complaints, but no one bothered and cared.

As GHMC Assistant City Planner at Quthbullapur Raj Kumar and MRO Gautham Kumar haven't initiated any action, they took the matter to City Planner at Kukatpally, Pradeep Kumar. He ordered local city planner to visit the place and demolish if any unauthorised constructions were found. Quthbullapur VRO Priyanka visited the site and stalled the constructions at the site.

But the constructions continued with a blue colour cover. Locals said that a slab was laid using ready-mix cement. The committee for protection of Park land accused that all these illegal activities were being done with the cooperation of officials.

When contacted, the section officer of Quthbullapur circle, Sangitha said, "We are all in the election duty. Come to GHMC office and not even single staff is available." After repeated complaints by the locals and spreading the news in social media, officials visited the government land to assess the situation.

Even now, locals doubt the sincerity of the officials. They question why local city planner rejected online complaint? Why no officer would like to respond on the issue. Why they dare not to stop constructions at the government site? They are questioning. They made it clear that they will go to any extent to protect the government land, allotted for weaker sections.