HYDRAA receives complaint as 3,500 sq. yards of hospital land encroached in Gajularamaram
Hyderabad: Encroachments on public land continue to be a growing concern in Hyderabad, with citizens increasingly turning to the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) for redress. On Monday, May 19, HYDRAA received 59 complaints, 70% of which were related to social issues such as illegal occupation of parks, roads, and land reserved for public use.
In Tolichowki near Baba Hotel, residents reported a shop built by encroaching on the road. In the Qutbullapur Mandal of Medchal-Malkajgiri District, locals highlighted that a 50-foot-wide road leading to Kompally has narrowed to just 10 feet in some places, with 20-foot encroachments on either side.
In Gajularamaram, also under Qutbullapur Mandal, the Bhagatsingh Nagar Government Hospital Land Protection Committee complained that 3,500 square yards of land (Survey No. 155) allotted for a government hospital had been encroached upon. Although the municipality had earlier removed the encroachments, they were re-established.
A woman from OU Colony reported that her plot had been completely enclosed by neighboring constructions. She also alleged that land earmarked for a crematorium beside the road was illegally sold. In Chengicherla village of Medipalli Mandal, residents of Mata Aravind Colony raised concerns over 7 acres of a 13-acre parcel of land in Survey No. 33/10. They said one individual, claiming the land is under the Endowments Department, is obstructing land registration. Residents approached HYDRAA for clarification on jurisdiction.
HYDRAA Clears Encroachments in Puppalguda’s Dollar Hills
HYDRAA has also taken action in Puppalguda under Manikonda Municipality, Narsingi Mandal, where encroachments were reported in the Dollar Hills layout. The land, spread across Survey Nos. 104/1, 106, and 113, is owned by Santosh Reddy and associates and totals 60 acres. In 1998, 30 acres of the land were developed under the name “Dollar Hills,” with preliminary layout approval from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). Around 80% of the plots were sold. However, due to non-payment of dues and lack of development, the layout approval was canceled by HMDA in 2005.
The land was later converted into agricultural land by the owners, but this was not communicated to buyers. Some residents built houses under the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS). A park and internal roads were reportedly merged with an adjacent 30-acre parcel and sold to real estate firm NCC.
Despite an ongoing legal dispute since 2016, NCC began construction without permits. Residents complained to HYDRAA, prompting a field visit by Commissioner A.V. Ranganath and officials on May 14. Both parties were later called to HYDRAA’s office for inquiry. Plot owners also reported Santosh Reddy to the Narsingi Police.
HYDRAA halted NCC’s construction and demolished illegal structures. It cited unauthorized cellar excavation and use of explosive materials. Boards have been installed to mark the protected land. HYDRAA officials highlighted that they will continue to act against encroachments, especially in cases involving public roads and parks.
