Hyderabad: How 60-foot road in Banjara Hills was reduced to 20 feet due to encroachments

Hyderabad: Citizens across Hyderabad are facing severe monsoon-related issues, including flooding and sewage overflow.

Against this backdrop, HYDRAA has received 43 complaints during the weekly Prajavani programme.

Many residents stated that incomplete drainage systems and blockages in existing sewers are causing immense problems. People presented pictures of waterlogged residential areas and appealed to authorities to resolve the issues.

A former central government official complained that a 60-foot road in Banjara Hills, Road No. 5, Street No. 1, has been reduced to a mere 20 feet due to encroachments.

Representatives from the Muppas Green Grandeur Welfare Association in Gopannapally village (Serilingampally mandal) filed a complaint regarding the encroachment of local lakes and ponds.

They alleged that real estate developers have constructed roads within the water bodies and that nearby gated communities and colonies are dumping garbage and sewage into the lakes, causing a foul odor and leading to fish deaths.

Specific issues raised at Prajavani

Flooding in Hayathnagar:

Residents of 16 colonies in the B.N. Reddy division of Hayathnagar mandal complained that storm and sewage water, which used to flow into the Kappala Cheruvu (lake), have been diverted into a nearby reserve forest.

This diversion has caused flooding in lower-lying colonies such as Greens City, Lumbini Elite, and Gandhinagar. The residents proposed connecting the canal to the main drainage line, which is only 50 meters away, to prevent water from entering the forest and alleviate flooding.

Ayyappa Society sewer blockage:

In Madhapur's Ayyappa Society (Serilingampally mandal), residents reported that boulders and soil were used to block the main sewer line near Mega Hills.

This has caused a mix of rainwater and sewage to flood their homes, resulting in a watchman's hut collapsing. The residents requested that the obstruction be cleared immediately to protect their homes.

Graveyard encroachment in Balapur:

Representatives of Syed Masjid and Graveyard in Jillelaguda village (Balapur mandal) filed a complaint to protect their graveyard from encroachment. They stated that despite court orders, attempts are being made to illegally occupy the 1.28-acre graveyard.

Layout encroachment in Ghatkesar:

Plot owners in Pratap Singaram (Ghatkesar mandal) complained about the encroachment of a 25.17-acre layout. The layout, consisting of 380 plots, was created in 1988. In 2023, plot owners took the matter to court, which resulted in the cancellation of a Pattadar Passbook created through the Dharani portal.

While five of the six original owners withdrew their claim, the son of the sixth owner built a fence around 6.15 acres of land. The plot owners have requested the removal of the fence to protect the roads and parks within the layout.

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath reviewed the complaints and assigned them to the relevant officials for resolution.