Patancheru ZPHS Demolition Sparks Controversy Over NHAI Role

16 Apr 2026 CW Team

Five days after the demolition of the dilapidated Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS) building in Patancheru, the Tahsildar and the Mandal Parishad Development Officer stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) carried out the demolition as part of road widening works. The officials said the building, located 10 metres from the school boundary wall, accidentally collapsed when NHAI personnel removed the wall during the operation. The delayed statement from local authorities five days after the removal of the structure drew surprise and public criticism.

Telangana Praja Sangala JAC Chairman Y Ashok Kumar demanded that officials produce a panchnama report and questioned whether NHAI had prepared an alignment map prior to the work. He also questioned why officials remained unresponsive when Medak MP M Raghunandan Rao contacted them while the demolition was in progress. Mr Ashok Kumar cautioned that any demolition could be treated as contempt of court because a case is pending in the Supreme Court.

Local residents and activists expressed concern over procedural lapses and transparency, and legal observers said the sequence of events and the timing of the statement will be scrutinised. Officials noted the building was described as dilapidated and hazardous but were urged to provide documentary evidence to support that assessment. The incident has prompted calls for a formal inquiry to preserve evidence and establish accountability.

Authorities and NHAI officials are expected to cooperate with any investigation and to make alignment maps, survey records and panchnama reports available to the public. Clearer protocols are necessary to balance infrastructure development with the protection of educational properties and adherence to court orders. The resolution of the matter is likely to influence how future road projects interface with local institutions and regulatory oversight.

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