Telangana HC pulls up GHMC for failing to clear footpaths in Hyderabad

The Telangana High Court has expressed strong displeasure at the continued encroachment of footpaths in Hyderabad and the failure of civic authorities to comply with earlier directions for their removal.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of the Telangana High Court expressed displeasure over the continued encroachment of footpaths in Hyderabad and the failure of civic authorities to implement earlier directions issued by the Court for their removal.

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The Court was informed that despite its order dated May 4, 2026 directing the authorities to clear encroachments and secure footpaths for pedestrians, no substantial action had been taken and no compliance report had been filed.

Counsel for the petitioners submitted that even the footpaths surrounding the High Court premises remain occupied by shops, forcing advocates, litigants and the general public to walk on the roads.

Taking note of the submissions, Justice Shravan Kumar observed that illegal occupation of footpaths causes grave inconvenience to pedestrians, aggravates traffic congestion and impedes smooth vehicular movement across the city.

Referring to judgments of the Supreme Court, including those holding that illegal and unauthorised constructions cannot be regularised, the Court granted a final two weeks to the GHMC to file a report on the steps taken to implement the earlier directions.

The Court made it clear that the respondent authorities shall commence action from the areas surrounding the High Court and extend the exercise to the entire city of Hyderabad. The Registry was directed to communicate the order to the authorities for effective implementation.