Citizens Demand Action During Prajavani Grievance Program
Officials Face Criticism Over Delayed Response to Complaints
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's (GHMC) Prajavani Public Grievance Program has become a focal point for expressing public dissatisfaction, receiving 71 complaints during the recent session. This initiative, intended to provide citizens with direct access to municipal authorities, has exposed significant issues surrounding illegal encroachments and unauthorized constructions throughout the city.
Commissioner A.V. Ranganath inspected grievances on Monday, emphasizing the need for immediate resolution. "If colony residents build walls blocking access, they must be demolished immediately," Ranganath stated, directing officials to act swiftly against illegal constructions.
Most complaints were focused on road and park encroachments. An alarming trend has emerged, with numerous residents reporting illegal occupancy of public land and the construction of barriers obstructing access. One notable case involved landowners from Ghatkesar who accused well-known educationist Nalla Malla Reddy of illegally seizing their properties by altering revenue records. Khaja Meeran Moinuddin, one of the landowners, expressed his frustration, noting, "He changed revenue records and occupied our private land since 2010." This incident is just one among many illustrating the urgent need for effective action.
The complaints are not limited to encroachments on individual plots; entire communities are affected. For example, residents of Yapral highlighted the issue of a function hall owner blocking access to the Nagireddy lake channel, with R. Chandrasekhar from the Yapral Community JAC stating, "Encroachments must be removed, and the lake must be restored.” Meanwhile, P. Seetharama Raju, a retired army officer, reiterated his long-standing battle to reclaim 300 square yards of government-allotted land, lamenting, "Despite court orders, I have not been able to get my land back."
Officials have frequently reassured the public of their commitment to address these urgent complaints, yet the response has been sluggish. Complaints from previous Prajavani sessions reveal the depths of the problem. During 17 sessions from October 7 to January 27 this year, GHMC received 330 complaints related primarily to unauthorized structures, with nearly half of the action-taken reports still pending update.
Out of 330 complaints received, only 174 reports have been updated, indicating systemic inefficiency. Of the total complaints, notices have been issued on 93 cases after verification, with final orders for demolition issued only for 64 cases, leading to just seven demolitions carried out to date. Meanwhile, 22 respondents have successfully obtained stay orders from the High Court against the enforcement of demolition orders, exacerbated by delays from municipal authorities.
The complaints have predominantly originated from the three zones of the former Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad: Khairatabad, Secunderabad, and Charminar. From these, Khairatabad zone alone reported the highest number of infringements—101 complaints, with Goshamahal circle witnessing 37 issues. This troubling trend raises questions about the oversight and enforcement capabilities of GHMC officials.
Commissioner K. Ilambarithi has taken matters to heart, conducting weekly reviews of the complaints. He expressed frustration over the town planning staff's delay in tackling the issues, warning, "Delay in addressing the complaints will not be tolerated." He instructed officials to create actionable timelines to update petitioners on the status of their grievances, aiming to increase accountability and responsiveness.
Despite the municipal corporation’s efforts to improve the situation, residents remain skeptical. They argue the reported number of unauthorized structures is merely the tip of the iceberg, as many more encroachments likely exist without formal complaint. The GHMC is working to empower special task forces at the zonal level to react to demolition orders more effectively, but many residents desire more immediate and forceful action.
The Prajavani Public Grievance Program, intended to act as the bridge between government and citizens, serves to shine light on these pressing issues. The public's outcries for access to their rightful lands and unhindered public spaces create pressure on city officials to fulfill their obligations. The persistent complaints signal not just frustration but also the hope for change, urging local authorities to reassess their operating procedures to prevent illegal constructions and uphold citizens' rights.
Without significant reforms at the GHMC level, the complaints pouring in from residents will only continue, underscoring the urgent need for municipal action and public accountability.