Residents and RWAs have voiced worries about multi-story buildings on tiny lots, purported violations of building codes, and the efficacy of civic monitoring and enforcement one month after an unauthorized building collapsed in Gachibowli, killing two workers.


Hyderabad: Residents and resident welfare associations (RWAs) are criticizing the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) for allegedly failing to stop unauthorized construction, a month after an unauthorized G+6 building collapsed in Anjaiah Nagar, Gachibowli, killing two workers.

As more such institutions emerge, concerns are being raised over the civic body's accountability. Concerns grew after inhabitants of a four-story building in NTR Nagar, Gopanpally, were forced to evacuate on Friday due to a dangerous tilt. Civic authorities later dismantled the building.

A number of RWAs have questioned how such structures are permitted to be constructed in defiance of authorized plans. They have also questioned the role of officials and employees who are in charge of keeping an eye on construction activity and prosecuting builders who are reportedly adding more storeys than is allowed and breaking building codes.

Residents of Anjaiah Nagar and other areas within its boundaries claim that the CMC has yet to create a thorough database of dangerous and unapproved constructions constructed on 50-square-yard plots.

Residents claim that unauthorized multi-story constructions have arisen on 50 and 75 square yard plots throughout CMC limits. They argue that the pattern indicates insufficient police supervision and enforcement.

Additionally, the RWAs have questioned how a digital system for restricted 50-square-yard plots was used to obtain development permits. They have claimed that fitness certificates were provided without sufficient inspections on structural stability and foundation strength, and that zoning regulations were misconstrued to allow commercial-scale vertical development on small residential plots.

According to certain RWAs in Madhapur and Gachibowli, the commissioner allegedly ignored the dangers posed by occupied structures while sending enforcement teams on demolition drives and sending notifications to construction sites.

An RWA office-bearer stated, "A thorough audit of buildings and identification of those violating the norms are necessary."

A different RWA representative demanded an examination of how town planning and other divisions in charge of upholding construction codes and keeping an eye on compliance were operating.

Buildings have been built edge-to-edge in a number of locations, with little or no setback between them. Concerns about the safety of narrow high-rises are raised by locals who claim that they are frequently built without sufficient structural engineering or soil testing.

Additionally, certain developers and builders are accused of using falsified or altered blueprints to build more floors than authorized plans, while civic teams are accused of neglecting to carry out required ground-level inspections during crucial construction phases. Additionally, some locals have claimed that in order to avoid examination, developers input inaccurate structural data and plot dimensions on automatic approval portals.