The construction of the 225-flat apartment complex for accommodation of MLAs and MLCs of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has come to a halt as soon as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which gave permission to the high-rise building, realized that the height of the structure violated rules.
Considering shortage of residential quarters for MLAs and MLCs , the roads and buildings (R&B) department proposed to construct a multi-storied building (MSB) with 224 flats, a club house , staff quarters, commercial establishment and servant quarters on nearly 2.5acre government land at Hyderguda.
As per the design, the R&B proposed three cellars, ground+12 floors. At first, the height of the proposed high-rise was pegged at 39 meters.
On July 8, 2013, the GHMC issued building permission (permit no: 25811/HO/CZ/Cir-9/2013) stating that the proposed construction would have main block-2, 1-cellar, sub cellar, ground+upper 12 floors and also other structures, include staff quarters, servant quarters and a club house.
Based on the GHMC approval, the R&B had begun civil works in July, 2013. The projected cost of the project is Rs 166 crore. As per the agreement, the bidder has to finish it within 18 months, i.e. March 2015.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) in fact had also issued a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) on March 12, 2013 for the high-rise building. A ‘NOC’ provisional from fire services department had also given to the R&B department to begin works in October 2012.
In September, the GHMC town planning authorities slammed notices on R&B department stating that the multi-storied building was in the prohibited zone for high-rises as per GO Ms No. 168.
“We were stunned by the notices served by GHMC on height restriction”.
Based on the AP Urban Area Act (Dev, 1975) only, the GHMC had given permission to construct the high-rise building and now they were intruding height restrictions.
Moreover, the GHMC asked the R&B department to approach the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) regarding height restriction before taking up construction of building beyond 10 meters height.
“We cannot stop construction suddenly. Moreover, keeping in view the high-rise building (three cellars-ground floor+12 floors), we have taken more care. For basement only, we have spent nearly Rs five crore. “We have completed three cellars, a ground floor and five floors (up to 10 metres height) and stopped the works, added the official. When contacted, GHMC Commissioner Somesh Kumar said, “I am aware of the issue and I will find the facts.”
On Tuesday R&B department officials met Telangana Assembly speaker Madhusudanachari and have a discussion on the GHMC restrictions on high-rise buildings.