GHMC issues notices to builder of high rise towers in Hussain Sagar FTL

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is learnt to have issued notices to the builder of high rise towers in Somajiguda, which are allegedly constructed in the full tank level of the Hussain Sagar lake. The builder has been asked to show why the building permission should not be cancelled, in view of ‘misrepresentation’ of facts.

Senior officials from GHMC confirmed that the two towers, for which permission was granted for two cellars, stilt and 17 floors, came up in the FTL area of the lake, and that due procedure will be followed before action is initiated against the structure.

Eight years ago GHMC had processed the application online through DPMS (Development Permission Management System) portal, and issued permission for the twin towers, despite the site being embroiled in legal wrangles about the title which eventually reached the Supreme Court.

“With regard to private lands, we issue permissions as long as the possession and title documents are presented to us, and there are no court stays,” a highly placed official informed.

However, in the case of this structure, the Irrigation Department had back then reportedly flagged that the land fell into the FTL of the Hussain Sagar lake. But the file was reportedly sent for a review to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, which was the lake protection authority in the city, where it was cleared, no questions asked.

A complaint was received against the structure when the builder applied for Occupancy Certificate after the construction was completed. An enquiry with the Irrigation Department confirmed the allegations, the authorities informed.

HMDA has never been the authorised agency to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) with regard to lake FTLs, and hence the process was seemingly subverted, officials opine. When enquired, GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan merely said there were ‘procedural lapses’, and due process will be followed. He did not confirm the news that notices have been issued to the builder.

Mr. Karnan, along with Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) commissioner A.V. Ranganath, had inspected the site on Monday in view of the allegations.