Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Alleged Town Planning Graft Fuels Illegal Construction Across Hyderabad
Many buildings in Hyderabad are reportedly being built without following approved plans.
Some buildings are adding extra floors or slabs without permission.
Residents and activists allege that certain officials accept money to ignore these violations.
They say the payments can vary based on the building and its location.
About 2,000 unauthorized constructions have reportedly been identified in the core urban area.
Some buildings also allegedly occupy land or fail to leave enough space around them.
Residents worry that crowded buildings may have problems with water, sewage and fire safety.
Officials reportedly say unauthorized buildings are detected and notices are issued.
Critics ask why construction continues even after those notices.
Officials and residents allege that bribes are enabling unauthorized floors, slabs and other construction violations across Hyderabad.
Around 2,000 unauthorized constructions have reportedly been identified in the city’s core urban region.
Alleged violations include extra floors, land encroachments, inadequate setbacks and unapproved slab casting.
Residents claim payments ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per unauthorized slab are collected, depending on the property and locality.
Residents and activists have sought stronger enforcement and a Special Investigation Team inquiry into alleged links among officials, builders and political representatives.
- Who
- Residents, activists, builders, Town Planning officials and local political representatives are involved in the allegations and reported construction activity.
- What
- Unauthorized additional floors, slabs and other building violations are allegedly spreading across Hyderabad amid claims of official inaction and bribery.
- When
- The article does not specify a date; it says the construction is continuing.
- Where
- Across the Greater Hyderabad region, including Jubilee Hills, Tolichowki, Uppal and parts of the Old City.
- Why
- Residents and activists allege that corruption, political connections and weak enforcement allow builders to violate sanctioned plans.
Residents and activists
Civic officials’ stated position
Extent of enforcement
Residents and activists
Residents and activists say unauthorized buildings continue to rise despite complaints and notices, suggesting official inaction or corruption.
Civic officials’ stated position
Officials are cited as saying that unauthorized constructions are being detected and notices are being issued.
Cause of illegal construction
Residents and activists
Residents allege that Town Planning officials, builders and political representatives are connected through bribery and influence.
Civic officials’ stated position
The article does not provide a detailed response from officials addressing the specific bribery allegations.
Public safety
Residents and activists
Residents warn that inadequate setbacks and overcrowded buildings may worsen water, sewerage and fire-safety problems.
Civic officials’ stated position
No separate official response on the safety concerns is provided in the article.
- Reported unauthorized constructions
- Around 2,000 identified across Hyderabad’s core urban region
- Alleged payment per unauthorized slab
- Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, depending on property size and locality
- Reported Tolichowki payments
- Asif Hussain Sohail claimed collections could reach Rs 2 lakh or more per slab
- Reported building violations
- Extra floors, unapproved slabs, land encroachments and failure to maintain mandatory setbacks
- Safety concerns
- Residents cited inadequate water supply, sewerage and fire-safety risks
- Requested action
- A Special Investigation Team inquiry into alleged links among officials, political representatives and builders
- Official position cited
- Officials reportedly say unauthorized constructions are detected and notices are issued