State’s first online colony

Sri Venkataramana Cooperative Housing Society, located in Shaikpet Village, in the central zone limits of the GHMC, is one of the oldest colonies in the city which was formed in 1960. The Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad in 1962 approved the layout covering 75 plots measuring 266 to 500 square yards, spread on a hilly area.

Sri Venkataramana Welfare Association was formed and registered in 1967 guided by the bylaws of the society. Since then, the colony has developed in a phased manner with the active cooperation of the past and present office bearers and the residential community to bring it to its present status, of 150 families. The residents hail from different walks of life and live in harmony in an eco-friendly environment. The colony is centrally located near the famous Khairatabad Junction with other colonies like Ananadnagar, Erramanzil, Padmavathi Nagar and Navinnagar in its vicinity. The colony is just a kilometre away from Khairatabad Railway Station and about 10 kms from the MG Bus Stand. The Shamsabad Airport is about 25 kms away. The colony has two main cc roads, seven cross cc roads, two parks and an independent office building.

84-year-old P V R Naidu, who has been the colony president for the past 25 years said, “The major highlight of the colony is we have created our own website www.venkataramanacolony.com which is first of its kind in not only Hyderabad but also across entire Andhra Pradesh. In a click, one can find out many details about the colony and various services can be done through the website which is a boon to the colony members and to the people across the world.”

He added that they purchased plots at Rs 5 per sq yard in 1960 when it was a hillock area surrounded by rocky boulders, bushes and large tress. Infact people were afraid to join the society due to fear of animals. AGs Office, Mint Compound and Statistics Department staff, came forward to join and the colony developed along with the city in a phased manner. The present cost of land in the colony is about Rs 50,000 per sq yard. The colony has a mix of independent and apartment houses along with commercial ventures, due to the proximity to the Khairatabad Junction which is a famous hub for education, business and commercial establishments.

Naidu said, “The serious issue we are facing is that park II (measuring 625 sq yards) is a property of GHMC, vide gift deed no 2588, dated 25-12-1969, is entangled in a legal battle for the past 25 years. Some private parties are claiming it as their land and the matter is sub-judice. The land sharks are eying to grab the park which is valued in crores. It has turned into a garbage dump yard leading to health hazards for the residents. The park walls are damaged, broken and trees have been uprooted making it difficult to enter the park. The GHMC neither cleans the park nor books the violators to save it.”

He said that they had given a representation to YS Rajasekhar Reddy, former chief minister, in 2008, which was acknowledged by K Subramaniyam, his special secretary. But unfortunately, both died in a helicopter crash in September 2009 and nothing materialised. “We are following up with concerned authorities and are making a legitimate protest to save the park. As long as God permits me to live, I will continue to fight till my last breath and will not allow the land to be taken over by land sharks”, lamented Naidu.

The present office bearers are P V R Naidu, president; Dasari Ravi Kumar vice president; N Dayananda Goud, secretary; Rajeswar Rao, asst secretary; Karuna Kumar, treasurer; assisted by 3 executive committee members who conduct periodical meetings to take up development works and resolve the issues of the residents.