Unauthorised constructions mushrooming in Uppal circle?

VUppal: Although unauthorised constructions are mushrooming in Uppal, Chilkanagar, Habsiguda and Ramanthpur areas of the Uppal GHMC Circle officials concerned are washing off their hands by merely issuing notices to the builders.

Although the Town Planning ACP and his seven colleagues are supposed to check on a daily basis where such construction activity is on in the circle and whether they have permissions, they are allegedly issuing notices a week or ten days after the commencement of the work. Besides, no follow-up steps are taken after serving of three notices. Or else the Town Planning staff merely remove centering at one or two spots, where it can be easily replaced and construction completed.

The staff is allegedly adopting a negligent attitude once they know which officer or leader’s area the construction is taking place. It is suspected that GHMC officials and corporators are being bribed to look the other way at the illegal constructions, like multi-storeyed structures, pent houses, thus causing a loss to the exchequer. It is alleged that usually before the construction commences the area corporator and the ward members reach an understanding and bribes are paid.

Another angle in overlooking the thriving illegal building activity is the alleged pressure brought on the officials concerned by the local corporators and bigwigs in the government, according to ACP Mehra. However, Deputy Commissioner Dr Yadagiri Rao told The Hans India that none would be spared if they resort to unauthorised constructions, while recalling that such structures were pulled down in the past.