HYDRAA demolishes illegal buildings in Mailardevpally playground
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) conducted a major operation in Mailardevpally and cleared illegal structures from a designated playground, officials said.
The agency removed encroachments from a 6,500 sq yard sports ground in Shastripuram Colony, part of a layout approved by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). Officials estimated the land value at around ₹100 crore.
Demolition targets under-construction buildings in Shastripuram layout
HYDRAA demolished five under-construction buildings of ground-plus-three floors and two single-room structures. Two occupied buildings were left untouched.
The layout spans 188 acres with over 1,800 plots. The land in question was earmarked as a playground in the approved plan. Despite this, encroachers had been selling plots through notarised documents and raising constructions without approvals over the past three years.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had issued notices earlier and passed speaking orders in 2024 for demolition. However, construction continued.
Residents say action ends years of encroachment threats
Following complaints from residents, HYDRAA officials conducted a field inspection along with GHMC and revenue departments. After confirming the land use, they warned against further construction and carried out demolitions on Wednesday morning.
Residents said they had faced threats when opposing encroachments. “We could protect the playground only after HYDRAA intervened,” locals said, adding that the action ended a long struggle.
