HYDRAA demolishes illegal shops on residential property in Manikonda

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed for a while at Alkapur Colony in Manikonda on Thursday, when the enforcement teams from the HYDRAA demolished commercial establishments within the Anuhar Morning Raga Apartments amid tight police security.

Residents of the Anuhar Apartments protested, stating they had gotten the required approvals from the local revenue authority, in response to the appearance of the demolition vehicles, senior HYDRAA officials and police.

Shopkeepers of the commercial establishments also expressed their ire against the HYDRAA teams and said that they have been paying lakhs of rupees as tax to Manikonda municipality. They even complained about the HYDRAA officials’ haughty conduct, refusing to even listen to their concerns before demolishing the building.

Portions of residential structures made commercial outlets

According to the residents, the ground floor consists of grocery, fruit and vegetable stores that were demolished, even though there have been no claims of illegal construction. There have been no documented changes to the setbacks, floors or parking provisions since the HMDA permissions were given in 2016 and the occupancy certificate was issued in 2018.

According to the officials, the Anuhar Morning Raga building was constructed in 2016 and received its No Objection Certificate (NOC) from HMDA in 2018, strictly for residential purposes. Although the building was authorized as a residential structure, the builder recently turned portions of the property into grocery stores, a bank and a supermarket.

After receiving a complaint from the residents of the apartment, various government departments including HMDA, HYDRAA, and the Manikonda Municipality, conducted a comprehensive investigation. Notices were issued to the builder regarding the violations, providing ample time for clarification.

Made detailed enquiry personally, says HYDRAA chief

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said, “I personally visited the site, assessed the alleged illegal structures, and held face-to-face discussions with both the builder and the residential complainants. The move was taken in response to complaints made by multiple families who lived in the apartments to HMDA, HYDRAA and the Manikonda Municipality, alleging unauthorized commercial construction.”

Ranganath also said that most of the complaints centred on unlicensed businesses, such as a grocery, bank and other ground floor stores. “We proceeded with the demolition with the backing of the local municipality, stating that the acts were taken in response to unauthorised usage. All actions were conducted as per legal procedures following complaints from residents,” he said.

The HYDRAA commissioner also denied claims that external or personal objectives drove the demolition. He claimed that, like in previous instances of unlawful building, the builder is trying to deceive by working behind the scenes. Ranganath also asked why, in their opinion, the builder did not file a legal challenge to the demolition orders or notices.