The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : SCB takes over encroached land

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 19, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

SCB takes over encroached land

Staff Reporter

The land is estimated to cost Rs. 30 crores

HYDERABAD: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board on Sunday took over a piece of land at Ganesh temple, near YMCA-Secunderabad, measuring approximately 3,000 square yards. It costs nearly Rs.30 crores, it is said.

The land, part of a 1.25-acre tract, including the site where the temple stands, was allegedly encroached decades ago by an association of sand lorry operators, which was using the 3,000-sq.yard spot for parking its vehicles.

Notice served

According to Executive Officer V. Premchand, the board had served a notice on the association in 1997 to vacate the land.

However, the association moved the High Court and later the Supreme Court.

With the apex court dismissing the case in favour of the board in November last year, the association changed tactics and approached the High Court once again, asking for permission to lease the land from the SCB.

"The court has left the decision to us and during a recent board meeting, we have decided to take it over and use it for a park.

Actually, the place was earmarked to develop a park during the British rule itself. We have decided to immediately raise a park there," Mr. Premchand said.

As for the temple land, the SCB has for the time being decided to leave it alone.

"In fact, there is a church nearby and if a park comes up, it will be useful for people who come to both religious places," Mr. Premchand said.

Police intervene

Earlier in the morning, the taking over of the lorry parking lot was not without drama with association members trying to stop the procedure.

However, the police interfered and the procedures were completed without any further delay.

The board fenced the area before commencing work on the proposed park.

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Andhra Pradesh