Hyderabad land grabs in god’s name: HYDRAA receives 51 complaints in one day
Hyderabad: Encroachments in the name of gods are on the rise across Hyderabad, with public spaces such as parks, roads, and government land increasingly coming under illegal occupation. Residents say that religious structures, especially temples and prayer halls, are being used to stake claims over public land, silencing opposition through caste and communal pressure.
These concerns were highlighted during the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) Prajavani public grievance program on Monday, July 28, 2025, where 51 complaints were received. Most were related to encroachments on roads and drainage channels, with several involving attempts to take over open land using religious symbols.
Anjaneya Nagar, Kukatpally
In Anjaneya Nagar, a HUDA-approved layout in Moosapet, 2,000 square yards had been earmarked for a public park. GHMC sanctioned ₹50 lakh for its development and even laid a foundation stone. However, once work began, it was allegedly halted by individuals who raised religious flags and objected to the project. Residents claim officials backed off in the face of pressure and are now demanding that the park be restored as per the original layout plan.
Chikoti Gardens, Secunderabad
Residents in Chikoti Gardens say that a shed built adjacent to a temple has encroached onto a narrow public road, taking up nearly 30% of its width. The road, which is just 10–12 feet wide, is now inaccessible to emergency vehicles, including ambulances. Locals clarify they are not objecting to the temple itself but to the shed that is obstructing traffic.
APR Praveen Luxuria, Patancheru
In the APR Praveen Luxuria gated community near the GMR Convention Centre, Patancheru, residents allege that part of the one-acre land allocated for a park is being used to construct a temple. Despite objections from several residents, construction efforts reportedly continue on a 200-square-yard portion of the park.
Complaints from Osmania Colony in Serilingampally Mandal allege that society representatives are selling off leftover open lands. These include dead-end roads, land near drains, and buffer zones between colonies. Residents claim open spaces are being unofficially marked and sold off as plots.
In the industrial areas of Balanagar and Fatehnagar, residents say stormwater drains have not been desilted for over 15 years. As a result, heavy flooding occurs during monsoons. In Maheshwaram Mandal, encroachments on the Vengalayakunta Lake and nearby drains are reportedly affecting local groundwater levels. Locals have urged authorities to act quickly, especially during the rainy season.
Residents of Green Hills Colony in Bahadurpally report that the Fierjajikunta Lake has vanished, causing water shortages in nearby areas. They blame encroachments and a lack of conservation efforts. In Chintal, near the IDBI Bank on Ranganagar Road No. 1, residents from three colonies complain that both sewage and floodwater are flowing directly into their neighborhoods. They are demanding that proper drainage infrastructure be put in place.
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath reviewed the complaints, using Google Maps to explain the ground situation to complainants. He assured that action would be taken and directed Asset Protection officials to initiate strict measures against colony welfare associations and societies found selling open lands illegally. Residents across Hyderabad are calling for enforcement of layout plans and protection of public land, regardless of religious or political affiliations.
