Hyderabad HYDRAA Recovers 1,310 Acres Worth ₹10,000 Crore

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has recovered 1,310 acres of government land worth ₹10,000 crore since its formation a year and a half ago.

The agency acted on complaints regarding encroachments on government lands, lakes and park spaces. Officials verified ownership records with the revenue department and examined documents submitted by claimants before initiating action.

In lake encroachment cases, records from the revenue and irrigation departments were checked along with satellite imagery from the National Remote Sensing Centre. For layout parks and public utility lands, officials scrutinised sanctioned layout documents.

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At its Buddha Bhavan office, HYDRAA examined records of both parties simultaneously. If court cases were pending, officials reviewed the case status and court orders before proceeding, based on legal advice. Authorities said constructions raised in violation of court stay orders were removed.

Recovered lands are being fenced and boards installed declaring them as government property. The state government has allocated some parcels to departments for public use.

In Survey No. 307 at Gajularamaram in Quthbullapur mandal, HYDRAA recovered 300 acres. The land has been allotted to the National Industrial Security Academy, an integrated registration office, the police armed reserve, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, the police transport department and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation veterinary wing. Some portions remain under court adjudication.

Seven acres cleared in Kondapur

HYDRAA recently cleared seven acres in Kondapur meant for parks and public utilities. Acting on a complaint received through Prajavani, officials conducted a field inquiry and removed encroachments on Saturday.

The land falls in Survey Nos. 78 to 83 of Kondapur village, where a layout with 2,059 plots was developed in 1993 under the name Rajarajeshwari Nagar Colony. The layout earmarked five acres for a government college and one acre each for a school and a park. However, several constructions had come up on the earmarked land.

Following complaints from residents, officials demolished private shops and sheds constructed on land reserved for a community hall. The area has now been fenced and marked as public utility land. HYDRAA estimated the value of the recovered seven acres at around ₹1,400 crore.

A senior citizen from Khairatabad suggested that the land be used for constructing community halls.

‘Acting strictly as per law’

HYDRAA Commissioner A V Ranganath said, “We are acting cautiously on complaints. Ownership is verified twice. We coordinate with the revenue, irrigation and GHMC departments before taking over encroached land. In cases where court matters are pending, we proceed carefully and strictly as per law. Regardless of who the encroachers are, government support has enabled us to reclaim these lands.”

He added that buildings constructed and occupied before July 19, 2024 when HYDRAA was formed would not be disturbed. “We are focusing on encroachments used for commercial rental purposes rather than troubling residents,” he said.