Medchal officials accused of allowing illegal land deals
HYDERABAD: Large-scale land grabbing is continuing unchecked in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, with allegations that officials are colluding with political leaders and real estate players to encroach on government land.
Locals allege that while poor people face eviction for putting up small huts, influential individuals are occupying acres of assigned land, buffer zones of lakes and ponds, and even government parks. Officials are accused of facilitating private ventures by using public funds and ignoring master plans.
Road expansion linked to private venture
In Dundigal municipality limits, road-widening work was taken up near Mallampet and Bowrampet revenue villages on the Outer Ring Road service road. Residents allege that the works, executed with government funds, were meant to benefit a private real estate venture coming up on assigned and patta lands.
According to locals, brokers struck a deal with officials under which landowners were compensated while venture promoters bore the road costs. Bills for the works were allegedly passed later by the concerned departments.
Alleged misuse of master plan
Residents pointed out that the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) master plan proposed a 100-ft road towards the right of Silver Oaks School. Instead, a 40-ft road was laid on the left towards agricultural fields, removing several trees. They suspect this was done to facilitate approval for a large construction company that bought nearly 50 acres from farmers.
Encroachments across municipalities
Complaints have also surfaced from other municipalities:
In Korremula, Pocharam municipality, 47 acres of a 1985 layout were allegedly converted into agricultural land by one individual, while real estate firms have fenced parts of the layout.
In Annajiguda, a one-acre park in a 10-acre layout was converted into plots and sold. Two acres of government land in Survey No. 14 were also encroached and sold despite revenue notices.
In Keesara, about 105 acres of forest land in Survey No. 131 were targeted using fake documents.
In Chiryal, 12.5 guntas of government land was encroached, and seven acres in Survey No. 152/2 were allegedly plotted and sold.
In Alwal’s Jonnabanda, a 900-sq yd park in Vajra Enclave was grabbed, leaving 236 plots without a park.
In Kapra circle, land belonging to a government stadium in Survey No. 199/1, Jammikunta, was allegedly turned into flats and sold.
Collector orders inquiry
Following a spate of complaints during a public grievances meet, the district collector directed the Malkajgiri revenue divisional officer (RDO) to inquire. The RDO reported that some of the land was allotted to Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for industries. Locals, however, demand a detailed probe into how agricultural and government lands are being diverted for private ventures.