FGG urges Telangana govt to establish functional Town Planning and Building Tribunal to address unauthorised constructions

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Municipal authorities often issue notices for demolition of unauthorised structures, but builders approach courts and obtain stay orders, allowing them to continue construction in violation of building and fire safety norms, said Forum for Good Governance (FGG). The image is used for representative purposes only. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU

The Forum for Good Governance (FGG) has urged the Telangana Government to immediately constitute a functional Town Planning and Building Tribunal to deal with unauthorised constructions and other building-related violations in municipalities.

In a representation to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday (August 25, 2026), the FGG president M. Padmanabha Reddy said unauthorised constructions were adversely affecting planned development and creating several problems for the public. He said municipal authorities often issue notices for demolition of such structures, but builders approach courts and obtain stay orders, allowing them to continue construction in violation of building and fire safety norms.

Mr. Reddy said the continued absence of a functional Building Tribunal encouraged builders to undertake unauthorised constructions. A tribunal was constituted in 2016 to facilitate early action against such violations and ensure speedy disposal of building-related cases, but chairpersons and members have not been appointed so far, he said.

The FGG had earlier approached the Telangana High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the appointment of the chairperson and members of the Building Tribunal. The High Court, in its order dated April 27, 2022, directed the State Government to complete the process of constituting the tribunal within four weeks.

However, Mr. Reddy said no action has been taken on the court’s direction so far and the issue has remained pending for nearly 10 years. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene and ensure immediate appointment of the chairperson and members so that the tribunal could become functional and deal with town planning, enforcement and building-related cases expeditiously.

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