SCB tries to bag 16 acres land from Army

Currently, the areas are encroached by slum-dwellers

While the Telangana government is seeking nearly 160 acres of defence lands in the Secunderabad Cantonment area to construct a new Secretariat and elevated skyways, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) is trying to impress upon the Centre to get 16 acres of land, spread over different colonies in its limits.

These open lands belong to the army and the slum-dwellers have constructed sheds and huts there. They have been staying there for several decades.

Though the army tried to remove them from this land, it failed as hundreds of families are staying at Nandamurinagar, Pension Lines, 108 Bazar, Chinna Kaman, Mudfort and Sai Baba.

SCB vice-president J. Ramakrishna said that slum-dwellers have encroached nearly 16 acres of land.

The discussions with the army to take possession of the land have resulted in no progress since they are demanding compensation.

“We have taken this issue before the ministry of defence. If the ministry can prevail upon the army to go for an exchange, it will be a relief to hundreds of families,” Mr Ramakrishnan added.

“The state government has to provide the army with alternative land in exchange of the 16 acres of land occupied by slum-dwellers,” he added.

Since, the Centre and the state have kick started talks on 160 acres of defence lands in Secunderabad for the new Secretariat building, we have come out with our proposal, the vicepresident said.

Elected representatives of the SCB stated that if the ministry gives its nod, we will ask the state government to consider this land to build its flagship double bedroom housing scheme.

“There is a shortage of land in the city to build houses for the needy. If the ownership issue is solved, the government can go ahead with its scheme,” Mr Ramakrishna said.