llegal five-storey buildings seized in Manikonda civic land case
HYDERABAD: Authorities of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency on Wednesday seized two five-storey buildings being constructed on land earmarked for public use in Manikonda, after an inquiry ordered by the Telangana High Court.
Fake regularisation approvals used for construction
The land, located in Venkateshwara Colony within Manikonda Municipality limits in Ranga Reddy district, was originally reserved for public amenities under an HMDA approved layout. Builders allegedly created fake Layout Regularisation Scheme approvals and obtained building permissions, following which rapid construction of multi-storey structures began.
After the buildings came up, Manikonda municipal officials cancelled the permissions issued under their jurisdiction, stating that the plots were meant for public purposes. They also wrote to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority seeking cancellation of permissions directly issued by it for another structure.
Court case cited to speed up work
Despite the cancellations, construction continued at pace. Local residents then approached HYDRAA, alleging that work was going on even after permissions were withdrawn. On learning of the complaint, the builders moved the court.
The High Court directed HYDRAA to examine the matter. Citing the absence of a direct stay on construction, the builders allegedly accelerated the work, with the intention of completing it and conducting housewarming ceremonies.
Inquiry confirms violations
HYDRAA summoned the builders, local residents and complainants for a hearing. After reviewing records and site details, HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath ordered that the two buildings be seized to prevent further construction.
On Wednesday, HYDRAA officials, along with teams from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the revenue department, fenced the sites and stopped all construction activity.
Land meant for parks and utilities
During the inquiry, officials found that four plots of 300 sq yards each were earmarked for public use in the HMDA layout at Neknampur village. These, along with adjoining land totalling about 1,500 sq yards, were shown as private property using fake LRS approvals to secure municipal building permissions for a ground-plus-five structure.
In another case within the same layout, nearly 2,000 sq yards reserved for a septic tank and park was used for another five-storey building after permissions were obtained directly from HMDA. Manikonda Municipality cancelled its permission in 2025, even as efforts were underway to revoke the HMDA approval.
HYDRAA said further action would follow based on the outcome of the court proceedings.
