Illegal Seven-Storey Building Demolished in Gachibowli After Fatal Collapse

An illegal under-construction seven-storey building at Anjaiah Nagar in Gachibowli was demolished on Sunday following its collapse on Saturday, which claimed two lives.

The demolition operation led to the urgent evacuation of neighbouring buildings, leaving hundreds of residents stranded without immediate shelter. Police cordoned off access lanes to the site while personnel from the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) monitored the clearance work, which generated tonnes of construction debris.

During the exercise, authorities ordered around 250 inmates of an adjoining hostel to vacate the premises after it was deemed unsafe. Demolition of the hostel began at around 4 pm. Displaced residents stated that they were given short notice, leaving many who are new to the city unsure of where to find temporary accommodation.

Simultaneously, 25 families residing in 'C' Block of the adjacent Jayadarshini Residency were forced to vacate their flats after the building suffered partial damage. The seven-storey structure that triggered the crisis had been erected on a 50 square yard plot.

Evacuated flat owners voiced anger at civic authorities for allowing the illegal structure to be built in the first place. Ramakrishna, a flat owner at the apartment complex, criticised officials for failing to provide alternative accommodation in vacant flats or hotels.

Ananth Reddy, builder of Jayadarshini Residency, said master bedrooms in 25 flats were damaged when the adjacent structure collapsed. He reported that appliances including air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and kitchenware were damaged. Reddy questioned whether municipal officials or the owner of the illegal building would compensate the affected residents for their financial losses.