Army To Help Telangana Govt. In Getting Golconda Ready For I-Day Fete

The Army failed to provide maps buttressing its claim over the 51 acres of land the State Govt is planning to use for the I-day fete at Golconda. They reportedly said the maps are deposited in a court on account of a civil dispute. They hence agreed to facilitate smooth conduct of Independence Day celebrations by the State government at Golconda.

The Hyderabad collector Meena reportedly asked the Army on why they moved in and removed boards set up by the Revenue Dept. if they don’t have the maps. At a meeting on Thursday, Defence Estate Officer Sujatha Gupta and Col. Ajay Katoch of Andhra Sub-Area showed only the documents in support of the extent of defence land in the area but  no maps. The revenue authorities, on the other hand, came up with pahani records and village maps showing the disputed 51 acres as ‘poramboke’ land (government land not assigned to anybody). They conceded that another 31 acres in the same area, but with a different survey number, belonged to the Army but not the 51 acres, near Makai Darwaza area, the Govt. has been surveying for I-Day fete.

On the submission of Ms. Gupta and Col. Katoch that they will bring the maps next time, Mr. Meena scheduled another meeting for August 22, when a decision on joint survey, by the army and the State Govt,  on the basis of maps will be taken.

The government is planning to survey the land for the purpose of constructing a parade ground to conduct major State events there. While it was trying to initate it, the Army laid claim to the land and the meeting yesterday is to sort out that issue.

Now, the Army itself agreed to ready the land for parking of vehicles, while the government will make all other arrangements.

The Army reportedly laid claim for a total of 139 acres at Makai Darwaza and 104 acres opposite Golconda tombs at Ibrahimbagh. It said the land was allotted for defence purposes when the State was formed in 1956. The bits were part of 1,500 acres allotted in Hyderabad at that time.