29/08/2024
Demolition Notices Issued to CM’s Brother’s House Amidst Durgam Lake Encroachment Crackdown
In a significant move against encroachments around Durgam Cheruvu Lake, the Telangana government issued notices on Wednesday, targeting several prominent structures, including the residence and office of A Tirupathi Reddy, brother of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The notices were pasted on properties within the Madapur Amar Cooperative Society, stating that these structures fall within the Non-Development Zone of Durgam Cheruvu Lake, and must be removed within 30 days.
Revenue officials, led by the Rangareddy District Collector and Serilingampally Deputy Collector, also issued similar notices to residents of Nectars Colony, Doctors Colony, Kavuri Hills, and Amar Society, which are adjacent to Cheruvu. These notices, issued under Section 23(1) of the WALTA Act, mandate that the structures encroaching beyond the permissible limits of the lake be voluntarily demolished within the given timeframe. Failure to comply will result in the authorities carrying out the demolitions themselves.
The crackdown has caused significant concern among residents and businesses in the affected colonies, as hundreds of houses and commercial complexes were served notices on Wednesday alone.
Durgam Cheruvu’s Shrinking Boundaries
Durgam Cheruvu, often referred to as ‘Secret Lake,’ is a well-known landmark in the western part of Hyderabad. However, over the years, encroachments have drastically reduced its area. Originally spread over an estimated 100 acres, recent measurements suggest that the lake now covers only 84 acres. Despite the area being designated as a Non-Development Zone (NDZ) through a preliminary notification a decade ago, the final notification to protect the area was never issued, allowing for unchecked encroachments.
High-profile individuals, including judges, political leaders, engineers, and retired bureaucrats, have established residences in the encroached areas around the lake. The recent government action is part of a broader effort to reclaim public land and protect the lake from further encroachment.
