Cantonment accused of turning blind eye to builders' violations

Metro India News | SECUNDERABAD 

Builders appear to be running amok in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) limits, with serious allegations that officials are selectively enforcing rules — harsh on ordinary citizens but lenient towards influential builders and leaders who manage to “please” them. According to local residents and complaints, officials cite strict regulations to harass common people seeking building permissions, while allegedly providing relaxations and overlooking violations for favored builders.

In Ward 6, Sikh Village, Chandoolal Bowli, Survey No. 10, the Cantonment Board had approved a layout in 1962. Several commercial structures including the former Yashoda Talkies, were later constructed along the road. Now, AGR Enterprises has come under fire for allegedly committing large-scale irregularities. The company applied for fresh building permissions in the names of disputed layout plots 34, 36, and 37 part. 

Key allegations include proposed site having no proper road access and that though construction was already underway on Plot 34, it was shown as a vacant plot in the application. To overcome the first problem, a portion of Plot 37 was shown as a road on plans. Once permission was secured, the builders allegedly went on a rampage — merging service lines between two plots, ignoring mandatory setbacks, and constructing far beyond the approved area (exceeding by over 600 square yards).

Following public complaints, the Cantonment Board issued notices under Section 239, followed by a stop-work notice under Section 248. Later, a final warning under Section 320 was issued, threatening demolition. However, the illegal construction reportedly continued at an even faster pace, ignoring all notices. Locals point out that despite previously pulling up Cantonment Board officials over their failure to control illegal constructions, such violations continue unchecked.

In the same Ward 6, Survey No. 59, Karakhana, Maruti Constructions obtained building permission in 2008 but violated the approved plan. Notices were issued under the Cantonment Act 2006. The company challenged the notices and filed an appeal under Section 340, which is still pending. A related court suit was dismissed in 2018. Subsequently, Maruti Constructions sold the property to VBR Developers which began additional constructions without obtaining fresh permissions from the Board. 

After receiving fresh notices, they applied for regularization. The Board’s decision to consider regularization — even while an appeal on previous violations is pending and without first removing the illegal additions — has sparked strong outrage. Locals have raised serious suspicions after it emerged that the representatives of AGR Constructions and VBR Developers appear to be the same persons. 

Many residents, including a former Vice-Chairman of the Board, have strongly objected to the blatant violations, but allege that officials are not considering their objections. “One rule for the common man, another for the powerful” — this has become the common refrain among angry locals, who accuse Cantonment Board officials of operating with double standards and favoritism.