Hyderabad: An encroachment removal drive was carried out across multiple parts of Hyderabad on Saturday, as part of ongoing efforts by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to address obstructions on roads and footpaths. The drive covered several locations, including Jambagh, Goshamahal, Attapur and Rikabgunj, with a focus on easing traffic flow and improving pedestrian access.GHMC commissioner R V Karnan inspected the drive at Jambagh and Goshamahal, reviewing the on-ground operations and instructing officials to carry out the exercise effectively and systematically. “The operation was conducted across all six zones with coordination between different wings of the civic body, along with traffic and law and order police,” Karnan said.As part of the drive, significant encroachments were cleared across key stretches of the city. In Shamshabad, 168 permanent and 54 temporary encroachments were removed along Rallaguda Road from NH-44 to Rallagudam. In the Charminar zone, 17 permanent and 35 temporary encroachments were cleared between Laad Bazar and Puranapul, while an additional 110 temporary encroachments were removed along Rikabgunj Road. In Rajendranagar, 46 permanent and 33 temporary encroachments were cleared from Aramgarh to Pillar No. 252, and in the Attapur stretch from Pillar No. 252 to 116, 37 permanent and 59 temporary encroachments were removed.In the Goshamahal area under the Golconda zone, the stretch from Jambagh Hanuman Temple to MJ Market and up to Afzalgunj saw the removal of 61 permanent and 93 temporary encroachments. In Khairatabad zone’s Yousufguda area, 8 permanent and 14 temporary encroachments, along with 3 compound walls, were cleared on Srinagar Colony Road. Meanwhile, in Secunderabad’s Mettuguda area, 60 temporary encroachments were removed along the road leading from the railway station to Alpha Hotel. In total, 798 encroachments were cleared during the drive, including 340 permanent and 458 temporary structures.Tension, however, prevailed in parts of Goshamahal and Murgi Chowk during the drive. In the Old City area of Murgi Chowk, a face-off broke out between police personnel, local traders and GHMC staff as the operation progressed. The situation escalated after AIMIM MLC reached the spot and protested against the demolition. Similarly, in Monda Market too traders staged protest. Affected traders alleged that they were not given prior notice or adequate time to clear their belongings.
