Illegal Constructions Rise Near Outer Ring Road Due to HMDA Delays
Illegal constructions are on the rise in villages near Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road (ORR). Residents blame the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) for the delays in granting building permissions and issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The HMDA covers an extensive area of 7,257 square kilometers, comprising 849 villages from seven districts. Over time, 100 of these villages were merged with municipalities or designated as urban local bodies. However, residents in areas within the ORR, such as Nizampet Municipal Corporation and parts of the Medchal-Malkajgiri District, claim that there is little focus on planned development. They also allege a lack of coordination between HMDA officials and local governing bodies, allowing illegal constructions to flourish.
Residents further stated that gram panchayats and municipalities are struggling with planned development due to a shortage of staff and the absence of financial support from HMDA. They argue that HMDA prioritizes projects like the ORR and radial roads, neglecting rural areas under its jurisdiction.
Highlighting the issues, Medchal District BJP President S. Malla Reddy criticized the HMDA’s master plan. He alleged that the zoning system benefits influential politicians and real estate developers while ignoring the needs of farmers. According to him, around 50,000 farmers are adversely affected. Farmers with land in conservation and other restricted zones cannot build houses, leaving them at a disadvantage.
Malla Reddy demanded a review of the HMDA master plan to accommodate farmers’ needs. He suggested that farmers with five acres of land or more should have the option to convert their land into residential zones. Additionally, he urged the government to amend zone classifications for farmers whose lands fall within the ORR.
The BJP leader also proposed several improvements. He emphasized the need for service roads along the ORR, better coordination between HMDA and local government staff, and allocating at least half of HMDA’s revenue to local bodies. He further recommended direct connectivity between the ORR and Shamshabad airport, establishing IT and ITES companies along the ORR, and adding a railway track to boost infrastructure and development.
Residents and local leaders are now urging the government and HMDA to take swift action to address these pressing issues and ensure balanced development in the region.
