Gandhi Sarovar project may faces severe encroachments and buffer zone demolitions hurdles

Encroachments and illegal constructions along the Musi riverbed are posing challenges to the Gandhi Sarovar project. With a 50-metre buffer zone announced, several colonies and luxury housing projects may face demolition, triggering protests in affected areas.

Hyderabad: Apart from land acquisition, another major challenge faced by the State government for the Gandhi Sarovar project is encroachments and the need for demolition of illegal and unauthorised structures within the buffer zone up to 50 metres.

The State government is already facing heat from residents and landowners at Bandlaguda Jagir and Kismatpur for issuing an official notification to acquire land. Protests also came from residential colonies, including Shiva Puri Colony, Dattatreya Colony, Sri Vigneshwara Colony, Dream Homes Colony, Karywell Homes, PG Colony, Vishal Nagar, and Sai Ram Nagar, where people lived alongside the Musi banks, both upstream and downstream.

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At Sun City near Kirthi Richmond Villas in Rajendranagar, a bridge connecting Sun City and Upparpally was halted with two pillars a couple of years ago. The bridge was proposed across Musi River for the convenience of the people of Sun City and Upparpally to ease traffic congestion. Two pillars were built, but the work was left unfinished.

In another instance, at the Musi riverbed, half of the Musi riverbed is allegedly encroached and a cattle shed is built. A few other structures have also come up near the unfinished bridge.

In a major violation of buffer zone norms, a luxurious housing project is coming along the Musi riverbed at Narsingi. The firm almost occupied the riverbed, and it came to light after Hydraa Commissioner A V Ranganath visited the site during heavy floods last monsoon.

This housing project could become a major bottleneck for Gandhi Sarovar project. As the State government announced a buffer zone up to 50 metres for land acquisition, this housing project is likely to be affected, according to a senior MRDCL official.

The State government also has to face the challenge of acquiring land from realtors and builders who built luxurious villas and duplex houses along Musi riverbed. Over 80 per cent of the builders and realtors are ere likely to face demolition, with the buffer zone norm up to 50 metres.