LEFT HIGH AND DRY: The inmates of over 150 hutments on Pedda Cheruvu lakebed, which were demolished by Uppal Kalan Municipality officials, salvaging their belongings on Saturday. — PHOTO: K. Ramesh Babu

HYDERABAD: The fight to save Pedda Cheruvu at Ramanthapur from encroachments took a new twist with officials from Uppal Kalan Municipality and Revenue Department demolishing several makeshift hutments built within the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of the lake here on Saturday.

About 150 huts that had come up within the FTL of the lake on its either side, a few pillars constructed by private persons were demolished amidst protests by the displaced.

Salvaging belongings

The displaced slum dwellers were trying to salvage whatever they could from the rubble. A majority of them depend on collection and disposal of garbage from nearby Habsiguda and Ramanthapur for their livelihood.

"They have demolished our huts but what about people who have constructed permanent structures on the lake bed? They are going scot-free because they can work their way around the official machinery for survival," said P. Mallayya, whose hut was demolished.

Uppal Mandal Revenue Officer L. Rama Devi and Uppal Kalan Municipal Commissioner M.S.S. Somaraju, however, maintained that action would be taken on those persons who have constructed permanent structures within the FTL of the lakebed.

Protests held

The local CPI (M) leaders joined the protests of the displaced and staged a `rasta roko' along the Uppal main road on Saturday afternoon. "They did not alert anybody before demolition," said CPI (M) member of Uppal K. Ravi.

Hyderabad Urban Development Authority and Uppal Kalan Municipality had drawn up huge plans for the development and beautification of Pedda Cheruvu. Funds to the tune of Rs. 2 crores have been tentatively set aside for the renovation purpose.

"We are just waiting for a detailed plan of the lake bed from the Revenue Department. If there is a need, based on the plans we would not hesitate to demolish permanent structures also," Mr. Somaraju reaffirmed.

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