Tensions have escalated in Raidurg Paigah village, Hyderabad, following a demolition drive by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Telangana Leather Industrial Development Corporation (TLIDC) to clear 5.8 acres for the Unity Mall project. While the INR 200 crore mall promises economic growth, locals protest, asserting legal ownership of the land. The TLIDC claims rights to 42 acres, insisting residents have no legal claim. The conflict highlights the ongoing struggle between urban development and residents' rights, with the outcome potentially impacting property rights in Hyderabad.
Raidurg Paigah village in Hyderabad has become the center of tension following a demolition drive by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Telangana Leather Industrial Development Corporation (TLIDC). The drive aimed to clear land for the construction of the Unity Mall, which is planned to occupy 5.8 acres of the village area. However, this initiative has triggered protests from locals who argue that they have legal rights to the land they have occupied for years.
The disagreement over land ownership is at the heart of the conflict. Residents, represented by Mohammed Mumtaz Ali Khan of the Hyderabad Tanneries, assert that the land belongs to them. In contrast, the TLIDC claims entitlement to 42 acres in the area and insists that the families living there have no legal claim to it. In a statement, TLIDC Vice Chairman Srinivas Naik emphasized that the corporation is committed to the development of the region and noted that they have been in negotiations concerning the land.
According to Naik, the decision to proceed with the demolition was influenced by the mall developers' requests to clear the area for construction. He mentioned that they had provided multiple notices to families living on the property, urging them to vacate the premises. The construction of the mall, which is estimated to cost over INR 200 crore, is seen as a significant investment in local infrastructure, expected to create jobs and promote economic growth.
However, residents are challenging this narrative. Many families are frightened and angered after waking up to the sounds of heavy machinery tearing down their homes without prior warning. One resident, Mohammed Taheer Ali Khan, stated that they have done nothing wrong. Their documents clearly indicate their rightful ownership. This demolition has left them and their children homeless. The residents emphasize that they are awaiting the outcome of a pending court case that seeks to clarify property rights. They claim that the official records on the government's Dharani portal support their ownership.
Adding to the situation, Telangana's Backward Classes and Transport Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar, recently announced a broader initiative to demolish illegal structures across the district. He urged NGOs and community groups to assist the government in identifying encroachments. Prabhakar assured that the government's efforts to eliminate illegal constructions are not politically motivated but aimed at restoring order and legality in land use.
This situation highlights a growing conflict between development needs and residents' rights in urban areas. The GHMC's focus on infrastructure development, as exemplified by the proposed mall, often clashes with local housing needs, particularly when residents feel their rights are being overlooked. While the government argues that such developments bring growth and modernization, the voices of those displaced tell a different story of loss and uncertainty.
Going forward, both sides hope to settle their differences peacefully. However, the outcome of this dispute may have broader implications for property rights and urban development in Hyderabad. Many locals are now paying close attention to how the government addresses this issue, especially as countless families' futures hang in the balance.
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