In a significant crackdown on illegal land occupation, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (Hydraa) has successfully reclaimed two major parcels of prime public land, with a combined value exceeding Rs 2,505 crore. The action, confirmed by officials on Monday, targets encroachments in the high-value areas of Neknampur and Ameenpur.
Major Recovery in IT Corridor's Neknampur
The agency's most substantial recovery involves 23 acres of government land in Neknampur, a prime locality situated within the city's bustling IT corridor. According to officials, this valuable property had been subject to repeated encroachment attempts by influential individuals.
AV Ranganath, the Commissioner of Hydraa, stated that the operation was initiated based on complaints from local residents. "We conducted a detailed field-level inquiry along with revenue and municipal officials," Ranganath explained. After verifying the land's government ownership, the team proceeded to dismantle illegal structures, including sheds and boundary walls, and secured the entire area with fencing.
Revenue officials revealed that the alleged encroachers had used forged documents to lay claim to the land. The estimated market value of this reclaimed Neknampur property is over Rs 2,500 crore.
Ameenpur Park Land Restored to Public
In a separate but equally crucial action, Hydraa reclaimed a 672 square yard site in Ameenpur village of Sangareddy district. This land was originally designated for a public park as part of a 2.27-acre residential layout developed by Apex Properties in 2005.
Officials detailed that despite the approved layout clearly marking the site for public use, it was allegedly gifted to a private individual in 2013, sparking a long-standing dispute. Following a complaint from residents, Hydraa conducted a joint inspection with local authorities, removed the encroachments, and fenced the area. The value of this recovered land is approximately Rs 5 crore.
Public Applauds Action, Seeks Development
The recovery drives have been met with approval from the local community. Commissioner Ranganath noted that residents have welcomed the agency's decisive steps and are now urging for the proper development of the reclaimed spaces. The public demand aligns with urban planning norms, calling for the land to be developed as open spaces and green zones to benefit the community.
This latest action is part of a broader, aggressive campaign by Hydraa against land encroachment in the Hyderabad region. Over the past few months, the agency has reclaimed nearly 1,300 acres of encroached land in and around the city. The collective estimated value of all recovered properties falls between an astounding Rs 60,000 crore and Rs 70,000 crore, highlighting the scale of the issue and the agency's ongoing efforts to protect public assets.
