GHMC's asset cell flooded with encroachment complaints

HYDERABAD: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s asset protection cell, which has a mandate to protect government properties such as lakes, parks and other open spaces from squatters, has been flooded with complaints since its launch on July 5.
The cell has received 1,859 calls so far.
Of the 1,859 calls, 294 complaints were pertaining to encroachments in GHMC limits, while the remaining were from the vicinity.

As per the civic body’s data most of the encroachments were reported from areas in the IT corridor and its vicinity (76 complaints) followed by eastern part of the city (LB Nagar-68 complaints).
Denizens rued that land sharks had grabbed lakes, parks, government land and open land in residential localities marked as recreational zones and green spaces.
Ironically, a part of a cement-concrete road in Jubilee Hills was also encroached upon.
Tin sheds were put up to encroach the road, but they were pulled down after a person reported it to the cell. A compound wall was built to illegally occupy 2,170 square yards of land in Shiekpet, while foundation and pillars were built in Kukatpally to grab 700 square yard of land marked as open space and a tin shed raised to grab 200 square yards of park land in Chandanagar.
All these illegal structures were demolished last week and public spaces reclaimed by the asset cell.
“Staff should stop illegal constructions in initial stages itself,” FGG secretary M Padmanabha Reddy said.
“Complainants can provide their details or give complaint anonymously by calling 1800-599-0099,” Viswajit Kampati, director of GHMC’s Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) wing.