HYDRAA razes encroachments linked to Sandhya Sridhar Rao in Gachibowli, opens blocked FCI colony roads
The drive was carried out in accordance with High Court directions following complaints of large-scale violations
By - Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: HYDRAA officials on Monday demolished several illegal constructions attributed to Sandhya Sridhar Rao in the Gachibowli area of Serilingampally.
The action followed High Court orders directing authorities to clear encroachments and restore the road network in the Fertilisers Corporation of India (FCI) Employees’ Cooperative Housing Society layout.
Roads reclaimed, food courts and high-rise removed
The demolition team cleared a five-storey structure built across a 40-foot road using an iron frame, thereby restoring the thoroughfare.
Two popular food courts, Mango Food Court and UNO Food Court, constructed in violation of road alignments were also removed.
A petrol bunk partially built by merging portions of the 40-ft road was dismantled, along with nearly 40 food containers and Chinese food stalls occupying 25-ft internal roads. Ramps illegally extending from a private hospital into the road were removed as well.
HYDRAA officials said that encroachments at seven different locations were cleared, and proper road boundaries were re-established. The restoration work has been welcomed by plot owners, who said the area is finally regaining its original structure.
High Court hauls up encroachments; orders immediate action
The High Court recently expressed strong displeasure over the large-scale encroachments allegedly made by Sandhya Convention owner Sandhya Sridhar Rao in the FCI layout.
The court noted that the 20-acre layout, comprising 162 plots, had been systematically altered by constructing over parks, roads and open spaces.
Plot owners, who had moved the court, complained that they faced intimidation and attacks whenever they questioned the encroachments.
Taking serious note of their grievances, the court ordered officials to restore the layout to its original form and ensure access to all designated roads. This directive led to the latest round of demolition by HYDRAA.
1980s layout lost to encroachments, say residents
The FCI Employees’ Cooperative Housing Society layout was developed in the 1980s. Residents allege that over the years, it was gradually taken over by illegal constructions after the establishment of the Sandhya Convention.
According to complaints submitted to HYDRAA, roads and parks were completely occupied, plot boundaries were erased, and residents were threatened or assaulted when they objected.
Nearly 30 cases were filed against Sridhar Rao in various police stations. Over five cases directly related to this layout are pending. Some residents said prolonged harassment even drove a few plot owners to suicide.
Following inspections, officials confirmed that many structures lacked permissions and were built on public spaces. Reports were submitted to HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, who had earlier ordered the removal of similar encroachments. Despite previous enforcement, officials said illegal constructions continued, prompting Monday’s decisive action.
