Telangana govt to raze structures cluttering drains

Determined to clear all major stormwater drains in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s  jurisdiction, the Telangana government has declared a phased programme to raze all 28,000 encroachments on them.

The government said it would announce a detailed programme in two days. Taking a cue from the recent demolition drive in Bengaluru, a decision to act ruthless on illegal constructions that are choking the drains was taken by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao while reviewing the situation in the state capital.

“Initially, all the major structures will be taken up for demolition after paying them compensation under the land acquisition act. The poor will be given a two-bedroom flat under the ongoing housing scheme,” KCR said, proposing a Tribunal to save the drive from legal problems.

Armed with the Kirlsokar Committee report which has found present drainage system grossly inadequate to withstand more than a 12 cm rainfall, the GHMC wants to maintain an average width of drains between four and 50 metres fit for at least five decades even if the city received a rainfall of 24 cm.

Following KCR’s proposal, the GHMC has announced special demolition flying squads for all the 24 divisions under the corporation. The squads will be headed by a deputy municipal commissioner, a tahasildar, and assistant police commissioner along with two town planning officials each.

“The Supreme Court and even the Green Tribunal have given specific orders regarding demolition of encroachments,” GHMC Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy said.