Hyderabad: The Telangana high court directed HYDRAA and GHMC to act immediately against illegal occupations in blocks developed by the AP Housing Board and the encroachment of roads in Baghlingampally. Justice NV Shravan Kumar also directed the govt to initiate action against erring officials from the departments concerned, whose continued inaction and dereliction of duties allowed encroachments to persist over the years.The judge further clarified that these directions would also apply to all the encroached parks, open spaces, roads and pavements in the locality. He directed the authorities to initiate strict action without delay, take appropriate measures strictly in accordance with the law, and submit a compliance report to the high court registry.In a strongly worded order, Justice Shravan Kumar observed that Baghlingampally had become a “glaring example” of how a well-planned residential layout could deteriorate into a “slum-like locality” because of continued inaction and neglect by civic authorities. The court further pointed out that such continuous dereliction of duty could turn Hyderabad into an urban concrete jungle in the long run. It added that it is high time that authorities, especially HYDRAA, which was specially constituted for the restoration and protection of public open spaces, parks and roads, take immediate action to restore the area in accordance with the approved plan.Justice Shravan Kumar passed the orders recently while hearing a plea filed by residents and flat owners of Block No 16, HIG-II, Baghlingampally, along with their association. The petitioners complained that public roads earmarked by the erstwhile AP Housing Board had gradually been occupied by encroachers, making access difficult for residents and commuters, particularly towards Chikkadpally, as the connecting roads had been allegedly blocked. They contended that despite submitting representations to the authorities, no effective action had been taken.The petitioners contended that the AP Housing Board had originally developed the Baghlingampally venture with approved layouts, earmarking spaces for roads, parks and civic amenities before allotting flats to residents under LIG, MIG and HIG categories. They stated that the northern and western side roads adjoining Block 16 were intended for public access and connectivity to Chikkadpally, but had become unusable due to encroachments and temporary structures.The residents also alleged that some encroachers had converted portions of the public road into bathing and washing areas, resulting in unhygienic conditions, foul smell and the continuous discharge of wastewater near the apartment compound wall. The petitioners further complained that attempts were being made to raise permanent structures on the encroached portions. They submitted photographs of the alleged encroachments and road blockades to the court as evidence.After examining the photographs, the court pointed to visible encroachments and temporary constructions on roads meant for public use, and observed that the authorities ought to have responded immediately to the grievances of residents instead of permitting the illegal occupations to continue for years.The court also directed authorities to issue notices to the alleged encroachers under the provisions of the GHMC Act, 1955, and examine unauthorised constructions, structural alterations and road encroachments strictly in accordance with law. However, the court also granted the alleged encroachers an opportunity to seek legal remedy, stating that if they were aggrieved by the present order, they could file an application seeking modification of the order in accordance with the law.
