HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court came down heavily on authorities over widespread encroachments on footpaths across Hyderabad, including areas outside the court premises, and directed strict implementation of its earlier orders.Taking serious note of the failure of the authorities to file a compliance report, Justice NV Shravan Kumar granted them a final opportunity and directed them to submit a report detailing the steps taken so far to implement the earlier order.“The problem extends beyond the high court area to other parts of the city, where footpaths are being occupied indiscriminately. First, begin by clearing encroachments outside the high court,” the judge observed.Observing that illegal occupation of footpaths near the HC causes grave inconvenience to advocates, litigants and the public, the court said such encroachments also worsen traffic congestion.The registry was directed to communicate the order to the authorities for effective implementation, to ensure the clearance of footpaths and their protection.The court noted submissions by the petitioners that, despite directions issued on May 4, the authorities had failed to take effective steps to remove encroachments.The petitioners stated that even footpaths around the HC premises remained occupied by shops, forcing pedestrians onto roads.The court recalled its earlier directions requiring authorities to conduct special drives to remove encroachments from footpaths, protect cleared areas through permanent fixtures and take prompt action against irregular parking. It observed that no report had yet been filed regarding compliance with those directions.The HC referred to Supreme Court guidelines on the demolition of unauthorised structures, stressing the need for authorities to act in accordance with the legal framework.
