The Telangana High Court has directed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to take immediate action against illegal occupations in blocks developed by the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board and encroachments on roads in Baghlingampally. Justice NV Shravan Kumar issued the directive while hearing a plea from residents and flat owners of Block No. 16, HIG-II, Baghlingampally.
Court Orders Action Against Officials
Justice Shravan Kumar also instructed the government to initiate action against erring officials from the concerned departments, whose continued inaction and dereliction of duties allowed encroachments to persist over the years. The judge clarified that these directions apply to all encroached parks, open spaces, roads, and pavements in the locality. He ordered authorities to take strict action without delay, in accordance with the law, and submit a compliance report to the High Court registry.
Baghlingampally: A Glaring Example of Neglect
In a strongly worded order, Justice Shravan Kumar observed that Baghlingampally has become a “glaring example” of how a well-planned residential layout can deteriorate into a “slum-like locality” due to continued inaction and neglect by civic authorities. He warned that such continuous dereliction of duty could turn Hyderabad into an urban concrete jungle in the long run. The court emphasized that it is high time for authorities, especially HYDRAA, which was specially constituted for the restoration and protection of public open spaces, parks, and roads, to take immediate action to restore the area according to the approved plan.
Petitioners' Grievances
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 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. 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.
Unhygienic Conditions Alleged
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 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.
Court's Observations and Directions
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 directed authorities to issue notices to the alleged encroachers under the provisions of the GHMC Act, 1955, and examine unauthorized constructions, structural alterations, and road encroachments strictly in accordance with the law. However, the court also granted the alleged encroachers an opportunity to seek legal remedy, stating that if they are aggrieved by the present order, they can file an application seeking modification of the order in accordance with the law.
