The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has dismissed a complaint filed by the VB City Flat Owners Co-operative Maintenance Society against VB City LLP and others, over the transfer of land originally designated for a park to the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) for the construction of a 33/11 KV power substation.
Residents argued that the land was earmarked as a park in the project layout and that handing it over for a power facility violated the promises made to homeowners. The society also raised concerns about potential safety hazards from having a high-voltage substation so close to residential blocks.
Developer’s and Landowners’ Position
In response, the developer and landowners stated that the decision was made in the interest of the residents themselves, citing severe power shortages that VB City’s 1,040 flats and amenities were facing. They further clarified that only a small portion of the open space was allocated for the substation and that most of the community’s common area remained unaffected.
Judicial Intervention by Telangana High Court
This issue had previously reached the Telangana High Court through a writ petition filed by another resident in 2024. In March 2025, the High Court ruled that the construction of the substation was in the larger public interest and essential for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to the residents of VB City.
The court observed that while the residents’ concerns about open space were valid, public interest and infrastructure needs outweighed the demand for retaining the land solely as a park. Accordingly, the court allowed the construction to go ahead.
RERA’s Final Order
Taking note of the High Court judgment, RERA concluded that the main grievances raised by the complainants had already been adjudicated. In its order, the authority stated:
“There are no reliefs remaining that require adjudication by this Authority.”
The complaint was therefore dismissed without costs, effectively clearing the way for TGSPDCL to continue with the power station construction.
Implications for VB City Residents
With this decision, construction of the substation is set to proceed, promising improved power reliability for VB City’s 1,000+ families. However, it also highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and community amenities, a common theme in large residential townships.
This case reinforces the precedence of public utility infrastructure over certain township amenities when public interest is at stake.
