Airport, defence officials issue notices to Rasoolpura slums

SECUNDERABAD: Residents of several slum colonies near Begumpet airport are in panic after receiving eviction notices from both the Airports Authority of India and defence estate officials.

Officials questioned how houses were built on their land and warned that residents must appear before them this month. Notices were served to households in Anna Nagar, Arjun Nagar, Indiramma Nagar and Sri Lanka Basti in Rasoolpura.

Defence and airport departments serve notices

The Airports Authority said houses were constructed in violation of rules on airport land. Residents were asked to produce building permissions, if any, within two months.

At the same time, the Defence Estates Officer also issued notices, stating that residents had raised structures on defence land. The notices asked them to appear before the officer on September 30.

Fear of demolition among residents

Locals said they were living in fear of bulldozers arriving at any moment. "We do not know when they will come and demolish our homes," said a resident.

The scrutiny follows a major air crash in Ahmedabad earlier this month, after which the Centre directed authorities nationwide to clear illegal constructions around airports. Begumpet airport officials inspected slum areas abutting the facility and listed out violations.