Land-grabbers rule the roost in Sanda Cheruvu Sikham land

Balapur: Sanda Cheruvu was a source of drinking water during the Nizam’s regime. It has degenerated into a garbage dump, with drainage/sewerage being diverted into the water body. Because of the alleged continuous official negligence land grabbers are thriving there. During the last eight years the cheruvu has been attracting the attention of encroachers because of the high land value - Rs 20,000 a sq yard. Thanks to their political connections, the encroachers were able to covert the Sikham Cheruvu land into plots and sell them.

However, three years back Saroornagar MRO (tahsildar) Venkateswarlu devoted special attention to water bodies and demolished illegal constructions in Sanda Cheruvu. But, following his transfer seven months, the problem is back to square one, with encroachers becoming bold to dump soil in the water body to dry it. They built shops, nurseries, giving them on rent or selling the premises to make large sums of moolah.

Concerned residents, while expressing their anguish over the encroachments, accuse the Jillelaguda revenue officer of overlooking the illegalities for monetary considerations. While a shop selling stones and a nursery were rented out for a lorry stand, constructions have been taken up in the Sikham land near Manda Mallamma temple.

The Sanda Cheruvu, which was previously in the Saroornagar revenue limits, is now under the Balapur mandal office. This officer seems to be least concerned about the illegal real estate/land-grabbing activities taking place, alleged the residents. They want the officials concerned at least now to act to check the land encroachments.

BY Venkatesh Pusunuru