Following instructions from the Telangana High Court, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has intensified its efforts against illegal constructions and unauthorized floors throughout the city. Since January, the civic body has identified 1,538 illegal structures, issued 1,517 show cause notices, demolished 204, and sealed 93 buildings.
Officials noted that the majority of these violations involve unauthorized floors, encroachments, and construction without proper permissions, often deviating from sanctioned plans and disregarding setback regulations.
“In numerous areas, property owners obtain approvals for two or three floors but end up constructing seven or eight,” a senior GHMC town planning official remarked. This issue is particularly prevalent in neighborhoods like Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Film Nagar, Shaikpet, KPHB, Moosapet, and Malakpet.
On April 29, the High Court reprimanded the GHMC for permitting such unchecked violations, despite notifications being served. The court highlighted that unauthorized constructions continued unabated and recommended sealing illegal floors alongside the issuance of notices.
GHMC officials confirmed that sealing operations are now being conducted as per court directives. “Buildings with entirely unauthorized floors are being sealed. For cases of plan deviations, we act under GHMC and TG-bPASS regulations. Minor deviations are being regularized by charging fees,” the official added. During its Prajavani sessions, GHMC receives numerous complaints, with illegal constructions constituting 50% of them.
Another significant violation involves the conversion of residential buildings into commercial properties while continuing to pay taxes at residential rates. Earlier this year, the GHMC shut down a shopping mall at RTC X Roads for operating without an occupancy certificate.
