The dispute between Andhra Pradesh Housing Board and Malaysian company IJM (India) Infrastructure Limit over 36.5 acres of land in Kukatpally has taken a serious turn with the APHB accusing IJM of contempt of court, making it a new nightmare for flat purchases in the township.
 | MAP: IJM Rain Tree Park |
First it was Sanskriti, the Singapore Township in Pocharam, now Rain Tree, is entangled in controversy. Both joint ventures with APHB. Coincidence?
APHB filed a contempt petition in the High Court complaining that IJM was continuing construction at the disputed site in violation of the status quo orders issued in January by the High Court. APHB had handed over 36.5 acres of land for the second phase of the Malaysian township in 2005 and had asked it to pay Rs 128 crore in four instalments.However, after paying the first instalment of Rs 28 crore, IJM had asked APHB for power of attorney. According to the Malaysian company, APHB had not given power of attorney though it had agreed to pay the remaining three instalments. However, IJM officials said that construction was going on in the leased land and not in disputed land.
Raintree Park township is an International Class Integrated Township incorporating residential units with many facilities. With an investment of Rs.241cr it is promoted by Swarnandhra-IJMII Integrated Township Development Company Private Limited, A Joint Venture Company between APHB & IJM Infrastructure Limited. Spanning approximately 32,00,000 sq. ft. the township has about 1,800 flats (950 sq. ft to 3000 sq. ft.).
During the early days of the project the Kukatpally municipality issued three notices asking promoters of Rain Tree to stop construction when they noticed violations. Huda also issued a notice but the promoters ignored it and went ahead with the construction of up to about 36 metres. The promoters of Rain Tree obtained plans from Hyderabad Urban Development Authority for ground plus five floors but unauthorisedly constructed up to eight floors, which according to the law of land, should be demolished.
First it was Sanskriti, the Singapore Township in Pocharam, now Rain Tree, is entangled in controversy. Both joint ventures with APHB. Coincidence? Not only that the new "Waterside Park", proposed to be taken up by again APHB with Ho Hup, a Malaysian construction company, had also run into controversies with promoters taking exception to Huda''s demand for mandatory clarifications to approve plans.
In the Singapore township issue the APHB cancelled allotments to some of the union members who filed cases against the board and even went to the extent of taking away the property owners'' ownership rights over their land. Following strong opposition from the flat purchasers and intervention by the court, the Housing Board ultimately restored their ownership rights. The incidents definitely have brought down the confidence of property purchasers in such townships.
Source: Deccan chronicle, The Hindu
