MCH remains a mute spectator?

By V. Geetanath

HYDERABAD, AUG. 8. Notwithstanding the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) drawing flak for the overzealousness with which it pulls down heritage structures, the reality is that the civic body is more prone to inaction than action in several instances.

A perfect example of this can be made out of the case of the Talwar Apartments in the Chiragali lane of Abids. Nearly two months after the two-decade-old building was in news when its compound wall had collapsed and the beams had developed cracks on account of a multi-storied complex coming up adjacently which dug its foundations too close against all norms, there has been no follow-up action.

Construction work inside the commercial complex goes on merrily with its illegal triple basement and the upper floors in blatant violation of setback rules. The foundations of this complex which butted into the Talwar Apartments underneath led to the latter developing cracks in the column base exposing its foundations and fissures all through the groundfloor, including the two front columns.

The effect was such that two more residential complexes within the vicinity had also developed cracks on the ground floor. "The construction has been going on continuously though the civic officials have visited the site off and on," points out Mr. Mohd. Ali Gulzar, a hotelier living on the groundfloor of Talwar Apartments.

The seven families had abandoned their flats for a few days after the building `tilted' but they returned on assurances that their apartment complex would be fortified and safety would be taken care of. On the advice of JNTU experts, the builder, Mr. Mahesh Goel, was directed by the MCH to build a retaining wall but the residents allege it to be half-complete.

That this step itself was questioned by architects is a different matter. Somewhere in the middle of last month, the builder had raised the collapsed compound wall and cement plastered the crack on the groundfloor of Talwar Apartments. "But, the cracks inside our rooms have remained the same. And, we suspect they may be widening whenever there is rain," fears Mr. Ali Gulzar's mother.

The MCH officials have no doubt whatsoever that the commercial complex is being built against rules but it is mystifying why they let law-abiding citizens suffer while letting bigwig builders have a free reign. "We are unable to comprehend how to ensure justice to us. We have placed our trust in the MCH," says Mr. Ali Gulzar.

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