Tellapur gated communities face encroachment of utility land

HYDERABAD: By law, 10% of land in gated communities, ventures and layouts must be registered in the name of local bodies for public use. These lands are meant for parks, libraries, and community halls.

In Tellapur region, which has about 54 gated communities, many such plots have been encroached. Residents said that despite legal provisions, lands earmarked for public use have been disappearing across villages merged into Tellapur municipality, including Muthangi, Pati, Pochram, Kardanur and Ghanapur.

A case in point is survey number 407 in Tellapur municipality, where a 4.28-acre venture had 10% land registered in 2019 under the municipality. Later, private constructions came up on the plot. After the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) intervened, illegal structures were removed. Yet in 2021, municipal officials reportedly issued fresh permissions for construction. Work began six months ago but stopped after a news report. Recently, construction resumed, with officials allegedly ignoring the issue.

Plots reserved for parks and libraries misused for construction

Residents demanded that the land be protected for community use. "We want the authorities to act and safeguard these plots for parks, libraries, and public facilities," locals said. Municipal authorities said they would act against violations. "We will inspect gated communities and layouts in Osman Nagar, Velimela, Kollur and Edulanagulapally. If construction continues on public utility plots, we will stop it. Encroachments will invite strict action," officials said.