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Hyderabad's real estate market has recently been jolted by a proliferation of illegal constructions, with a startling 7,000 to 8,000 structures erected annually without the required layout approvals, according to the most recent Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) survey. The alarming case of Bandlaguda's Crystal Township by Pride India, which saw over 200 unlawfully constructed houses demolished last month, has left the city anticipating similar predicaments.
This rampant unregulated development of townships is raising eyebrows due to myriad issues. These include building on unregistered lands, deviations from sanctioned blueprints, and structures that do not meet safety standards. In the past five months of 2023 alone, the GHMC, in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), has demolished over 180 illegal structures across numerous regions, encompassing both commercial and residential premises.
Despite these robust actions, the victims are often the unsuspecting homeowners. Many buyers in Bandlaguda, whose homes had been valued at over Rs 1 crore, were blindsided by the unexpected demolitions. Feroz Basha, a buyer who committed a hefty advance for his 2BHK apartment, voiced the collective disappointment and frustration, questioning why the GHMC didn't intervene during the construction period amid the Covid-19 pandemic. "Demolishing them suddenly has shattered our dreams," Basha lamented.
Mohammed Imran, another aggrieved homeowner, echoed these sentiments, expressing bewilderment over how these illegal structures were registered by the government in the first place. "We aren't aware of the financial dispute in court between Pride India Developers and the pattadar. First, the registration of this disputed land was allowed and since this was part of a reputed township, we too got on board. Now, we have been fooled by everyone," Imran told TOI.
However, industry experts highlight that responsibility for due diligence falls not only on builders but also on buyers. P Ramakrishna Rao, president of CREDAI, advised potential homeowners to validate the property's RERA approval status and verify layout approvals, suggesting legal assistance specializing in property cases as a safeguard against such fraudulent activities.
The GHMC is grappling with an inundation of 300 to 400 complaints against illegal constructions each month. Despite their efforts, many cases are swiftly mired in legal disputes following the issuance of demolition orders. A senior town planning official expressed concerns over the inadequate staffing, revealing that only 37 of the 237 sanctioned field-level section officers are available on duty.
In conclusion, the rapid emergence of illegal townships, as exemplified by the Bandlaguda incident, underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight in Hyderabad's real estate sector. A holistic approach that involves more rigorous government scrutiny, greater transparency from developers, and informed, careful purchasing decisions by buyers, is vital to preserving the integrity of the city's infrastructure.
This story was first published by Times of India (TOI).
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