Gajularamaram government land worth ₹4,500 crore encroached
HYDERABAD: Just 10 km from the IT corridor, large-scale encroachments have been reported on government land at Gajularamaram. In the past two months, permanent houses have come up on several survey numbers, covering hundreds of acres allotted decades ago to agencies such as the State Finance Corporation, Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority and the Housing Board.
Houses built and sold on encroached land
Local groups have allegedly occupied the plots over the past three to four years and are constructing houses in 60–80 sq yard plots. These are being sold for ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh each. Officials of the respective departments have remained inactive, even as electricity and water connections were sanctioned.
Market value exceeds ₹4,500 crore
In the past three-and-a-half years, authorities estimate encroachments in Gajularamaram and Chintal areas of Qutbullapur mandal at 103 acres. With the market value ranging between ₹40 crore and ₹50 crore per acre, valuers estimate the occupied land at nearly ₹4,500 crore. Developers are building and selling single-bedroom houses to local workers, while some encroachers have constructed multi-storey buildings.
Officials accused of collusion
According to sources, some revenue and electricity officials are supporting the encroachers. The Medchal collector suspended two village revenue officers after finding them to have taken money from land grabbers two years ago, while a revenue inspector allegedly accepted payments and travelled to Thailand.
In August last year, Hyderabad authorities demolished 51 single-bedroom houses built illegally in Survey No. 329/1. However, fresh construction resumed soon after.
Malkajgiri revenue divisional officer Shyam Prakash said: “Government land in several survey numbers belongs to HMDA, Housing Board, SFC and TGIIC. We have informed the concerned departments. They have started fencing and other protective measures. Whenever locals bring encroachments to our notice, we respond immediately. Locals allege that the revenue and police only respond after they make complaints to higher authorities or when reports appear in the media.
