Illegal construction unabated at Pedda Cheruvu

Qutbullapur: While on one hand, the state government is taking stringent measures to protect and beautify lakes under the prestigious Kakatiya mission, on the other hand, land sharks are illegally occupying the full tank level and buffer zone areas adjoining the water bodies by fixing deals with local leaders and the government officials. In a shocking incident, illegal ongoing construction activities were identified at the Pedda Cheruvu in Suraram.

As per revenue records, there were around seven and a half acres of agricultural lands near the lake along with two and a half acres of Full Tank Level lands that fall in the buffer zone of the lake.

Although over the period, realtors did purchase lands from the farmers to start a venture, the FTL lands remained unfazed. But recently, people living in the area reported that tipper lorries containing mud were entering the premises of the construction site and that the occupants were trying to illegally fill the water body to capture three more acres of the lake. Gates comprising road layouts within were found at the site.

The lake body was the source of irrigation for agricultural fields in its vicinity, two decades ago and is still being used by people living in the nearby colonies for various purposes. Today it stands under threat from land sharks who have also demolished the marking pillars set up by the government to establish a venture in the area.

According to official procedures, one has to procure a No Objection Certificate from the irrigation department to start construction in areas near the lake especially those in the buffer zone and later have to apply for a land conversion of the FTL lands to the residential zone from the revenue officials following which they have to allocate 40 percent of the venture estate space for parks, schools etc.

But it is surprising to know the occupants have only registered a plea for land conversion for only six and half acres near the lake including land in the buffer zone which has still not been sanctioned by the officials. Moreover, they have still not obtained a “no objection certificate” for the constructions.

It is unfortunate that even the officials have turned a blind eye on the issue causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the state’s exchequer. Instead of solving the issue, the government authorities chose to put blame on one another. When questioned, GHMC Deputy Commissioner M. Vijay Kumar assured that the illegal constructions in the area would be razed irrespective of who it belongs to.

An FIR has been filed by the VRO at Dundigal Police Station against the builder Raja and his partners after The Hans India correspondent took it to the notice of the officials.Irrigation Senior Engineer of the area Shekar Reddy too has said that strict actions against the accused.
By Pathi Madhav