Rampant encroachments thrive at Nayapul Bridge

Afzalgunj: Even as the Hyderabad Traffic Police and Musi River Front Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) are conducting awareness drives against illegal dumping of construction and demolition of waste into Musi River, the illegal encroachments and parking businesses are thriving under Nayapul Bridge.

According to locals, systematic encroachments on Musi River that have cropped up all along the river bank near Nayapul are being paid no attention by the officials concerned of civic bodies. While the officials are making regular visits and studying the possibility of beautification and rejuvenation, the action against the encroachments is yet to be initiated.

"Though the Nayapul Bridge provides bread and butter for many a hawkers and traders, At the section underneath Nayapul Bridge those who have encroached upon land is doing illegal parking business, for pushcarts to rickshaws, autos to four-wheelers. While some have even set up workshops and mechanic shops for vehicles, others have turned the river bank into a dumping ground for discard old unusable vehicles. Though

officials are making regular visits and studying possibility of beautification and rejuvenation, they are yet to initiate action against encroachments. This not only blocks the water, but also poses risk of inundation to the nearby houses in spate during monsoon season," said Shaik Imtiaz Ali, a social activist

The section of Musi below the Nayapul Bridge has not only become place for indiscriminate dumping, but also for encroachments for a different kind of business opportunity. These parking spaces underneath the bridge have changed hands several times owing to the influence and lucrative nature involving collection of parking fees illegally.

"Leave aside the beautification of Musi River, first save it from extinction because it is already getting condensed with the widespread encroachments all around its passageway. I urge the GHMC authorities to turn their attention to the condition of the bridge and do the needful soon," the activist added.

It may be mentioned here that as part of the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. (MRDCL), several encroachments were marked for the removal of encroachments under Salarjung (Sivaji) Bridge by the higher officials from the GHMC and other departments. They also made a visit to the site on May 28. But, they are yet to visit the Nayapul Bridge, which is close to bustling centre of Afzalgunj and has got more encroachments. The officials led by Zonal Commissioner for South (GHMC) B Srinivas Reddy visited Salarjung Bridge, along with officials of MRDCL, GHMC and police officials, and marked the encroachments for removal.

Meanwhile on June 11, the Hyderabad Traffic Police organised awareness programme for the lorry and tipper owners and drivers, with the co-ordination of the officials of MRDCL. In the awareness programme K Babu Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic II) and K Ashok Reddy, Managing Director of MRDCL explained about the norms to be followed.