Chitrapuri Colony, home to the Telugu Cine Workers' Co-operative Housing Society in West Hyderabad, faces scrutiny for violating building regulations. Civic authorities recently demolished six villas, which exceeded the 225 units permitted. Despite warnings from Manikonda Municipality, unauthorised construction continued, leading to potential legal actions. The society violated a 2009 government order by constructing additional floors beyond the approved G+1 structure. Manikonda officials, supported by Hyderabad Disaster Response (HYDRAA), threaten to carry out further demolitions if the society does not comply. The society's president offered to pay penalties, but enforcement remains stringent as public support for HYDRA's actions grows.
Chitrapuri Colony, a prominent location in West Hyderabad and home to the Telugu Cine Workers' Co-operative Housing Society, is currently under intense scrutiny for alleged violations of building regulations. Civic authorities recently took decisive action by demolishing six villas constructed in excess of the 225 units initially permitted for the society. Manikonda Municipality, which governs the area, has formally notified the society's president, explicitly directing them to halt all unauthorised construction within the row houses. The notices warned that non-compliance would result in strict legal measures, as mandated by the relevant regulations.
Despite these clear warnings, construction activities have continued unabated, raising significant concerns among municipal officials and local residents alike. Town planning officials from Manikonda Municipality recently inspected the area and revealed that the housing society had violated Government Order No. 658 and disregarded the building permissions granted by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) in 2009. The government order had permitted the construction of ground plus one (G+1) structures. However, since 2016, the society has been building Ground plus Two (G+2) villas, which clearly violates the established regulations.
Manikonda Municipal Commissioner D. Pradeep Kumar condemned the housing society's actions, highlighting their unauthorised construction activities, including the addition of extra built-up areas and illegal structures on unapproved floors. He emphasised that they will not tolerate this open disregard for the approved plans. Kumar also cautioned that if the society ignores the notice and fails to comply with the directives, they will escalate the issue to the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRAA) authority.
HYDRA holds the authority to demolish the additional illegal structures without further notice, a move that could have significant repercussions for society. In a bid to mitigate the situation, the president of the Telugu Cine Workers' Co-operative Housing Society, V. Anil Kumar, stated that the society is willing to pay the necessary taxes and penalties for the additional floors. However, this offer might not be enough to prevent the impending legal actions that the authorities are prepared to enforce.
Amidst these developments, BJP MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy shared his perspective on the situation. While acknowledging that a significant portion of the public supports HYDRA's enforcement actions, Reddy suggested that the agency could enhance its approach. In a Twitter poll he conducted, 78% of respondents supported HYDRAA's actions. However, Reddy emphasised that the agency needs to better distinguish between those responsible for violations and those affected by them. He proposed that HYDRAA should adopt more nuanced strategies rather than relying solely on demolitions as a solution.
As Chitrapuri Colony continues to be at the centre of this controversy, the outcome of these enforcement actions will likely set a precedent for urban development and regulatory compliance in the region. The balance between adhering to legal standards and accommodating the needs of residents remains a critical issue that will shape the future of similar housing developments.
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