HYDRAA continues demolition drive in Ameenpur, Kukatpally; ; Displaced people wail, cry foul

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Authority (HYDRAA) carried out demolitions of illegal constructions in Ameenpur municipality on Sunday.

The demolition drive focused on structures built on government land in Patelguda and Kishthareddypet. Authorities identified villas and apartments erected without permission, prompting the removal of a three-story building in survey number 164 at Kishthareddypet. Additionally, 12 villas located in survey number 12 at Patelguda were brought down.

Tensions flared during the demolition as local residents protested, expressing their anger over the destruction of their properties. Police intervened, setting up barricades 500 meters from the demolition sites to prevent any escalation of the situation. A heavy police force was deployed in both Kishthareddypet and Patelguda to maintain order.

Simultaneously, HYDRAA officials continued demolishing illegal constructions in Nallacheruvu, Kukatpally. The 27-acre lake had seen significant encroachment, with 14 acres being illegally occupied. Authorities identified 7 acres in the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone, where over 50 permanent buildings and apartments were constructed on 4 acres, and 25 buildings along with 16 sheds were built on 3 acres of the FTL land. While authorities spared residential buildings, they demolished 16 sheds in the encroached area.

Local residents raised concerns about their livelihoods, arguing that the demolition left them homeless. Many claimed they were not given adequate time to retrieve their belongings before the demolitions began.