After Gachibowli collapse, Hyderabad tightens scrutiny of unauthorised buildings
A seven-storey unauthorised building collapse in Gachibowli has pushed Hyderabad civic bodies to intensify action against illegal structures and unsafe paying-guest accommodations.
The collapse of an unauthorised seven-storey building in Hyderabad's Gachibowli locality last month has sent ripples through a neighbourhood defined by rapid vertical growth. The incident left nearby residents with damaged homes and disrupted businesses, while reigniting concerns about the safety of structures that have mushroomed in the area.
Gachibowli, a key node in the city's IT corridor, has seen a surge in construction over the past decade. Much of this boom has been driven by the demand for paying-guest (PG) accommodations and hostels catering to a young, migrant workforce. The proliferation of such facilities, often built without proper approvals, has now come under sharper focus.
In the wake of the collapse, civic authorities have stepped up enforcement drives targeting unsafe and unauthorised structures across the neighbourhood. Officials are inspecting buildings for compliance with sanctioned plans and structural safety norms, with a particular eye on multi-storey PG clusters that house scores of tenants.
The episode underscores a broader challenge for Hyderabad's urban planners: balancing the city's economic momentum with the need for regulated, safe construction. For residents of Gachibowli, the immediate worry is clear — ensuring that the buildings around them, old and new, meet the standards required to withstand the pressures of a vertical boom.