HYDRAA clears encroachments on Cantonment government land
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Saturday said it removed encroachments only from government land in the Cantonment area falling within Hyderabad and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. The agency clarified that no private patta land was disturbed during the operation and rejected what it described as misleading claims circulating on social media.
HYDRAA said the land protected by the agency comprises more than 119 acres in General Land Register (GLR) No. 243 and over 29 acres in GLR No. 255, both identified as government land within the Cantonment limits. It said the land owned by Shanta Sriram Builders is located in Survey Nos. 1 and 2 at Lothukunta, around 3 km away from the protected government land.
The agency added that court orders relating to the private land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2 have no connection with GLR Nos. 243 and 255, where it carried out the protection exercise.
Environmental complaints prompt action
HYDRAA said the 148-acre government land in GLR Nos. 243 and 255 contains natural hillocks, dense tree cover and wildlife, including peacocks and rabbits.
According to the agency, environmentalists complained that unauthorised blasting of hillocks during the night was harming wildlife. Members of the Rock Society and local residents also alleged that illegal mining was being carried out without approvals and that efforts were underway to convert the area into a layout after levelling the hills.
After examining the complaints, HYDRAA fenced the government land to prevent further encroachment. The agency said the move helped protect government property valued at around ₹10,000 crore.
Questions over revised layout application
HYDRAA said Shanta Sriram Builders had secured layout approval in 2007 for private land in Survey Nos. 1 and 2 and later applied for a revised layout permission in 2026, referring to GLR Nos. 243/P and 255/P.
The agency said the contempt proceedings involving the builder relate only to Survey Nos. 1 and 2, whereas its action was confined to GLR Nos. 243 and 255. It added that maps provided by Defence Estate officials also identify GLR Nos. 243 and 255 as government land.
HYDRAA maintained that its operation did not violate any court order. It said revenue authorities are conducting a detailed inquiry into the revised layout application and that a comprehensive land survey is expected to establish the facts.
As the matter is pending before the Telangana High Court, HYDRAA said it would not disclose further details. The agency said it issued the clarification in view of misinformation being circulated on social media.
