Officials mark 2,116 illegal structures in Musi riverbed, face protests in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: As part of a detailed survey, officials marked 2,116 illegal constructions in the Musi riverbed and 7,850 more in the buffer zone across various mandals in Hyderabad, Medchal, and Rangareddy districts. The survey, which aimed at identifying structures to be demolished, saw multiple protests from local residents fearing the loss of their homes.

In Hyderabad, survey teams visited mandals such as Amberpet, Asifnagar, Bahadurpura, Charminar, Golconda, and Saidabad, identifying numerous homes for demolition. Similar actions were carried out in Medchal’s Ghatkesar and Uppal, and Rangareddy's Gandipet and Rajendranagar mandals.

However, the survey was met with resistance as agitated residents blocked teams, resulting in a tense environment. Many households refused to provide details, fearing their homes would be demolished despite having land documents. Protestors, especially women, emotionally pleaded with officials not to mark their homes, but the process continued under police protection.

Authorities estimated 1,595 illegal constructions in Hyderabad, but only managed to mark 941 homes due to disruptions. In Uppal's KCR Nagar and Chaitanyapuri, residents protested by obstructing survey teams, while others engaged in heated arguments with officials.

Several areas, including Musanagar, Shankarnagar, and Bahadurpura, saw significant opposition. Local leaders and families claimed they had been living in these areas for years and refused to vacate. Some protestors destroyed survey documents, while others threw away the red marking paint used by officials.

Despite the protests, officials continued marking structures with plans to begin demolition soon, starting from areas like KCR Nagar. Authorities assured that alternative housing would be provided to those displaced, but many residents opposed relocation, insisting they would not leave their homes.