The Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in Hyderabad, India's sole central Urdu university, is locked in a significant land dispute with the Telangana state government. The conflict erupted after the Ranga Reddy district collectorate served the university a notice demanding the return of approximately 50 acres of its prime property located in Gachibowli.
The Government's Claim and University's Rebuttal
The state government's notice, issued under Rule 6 of the Telangana Area Alienation of State Land Revenue Rules, 1975, alleges that the surveyed land has remained unutilised. This rule typically applies when land is not used for its specified purpose or when construction fails to occur within a set timeframe.
The MANUU administration strongly refuted these allegations on Wednesday. University officials stated that no physical survey was conducted by the government prior to issuing the notice. They clarified that out of its total 200-acre campus, only about 30 acres are currently vacant. This land, they insist, is earmarked for crucial future expansion, including new academic buildings, student hostels, and other accommodation facilities.
"A major portion of this land is rocky terrain. Clearing it would amount to environmental violations, leaving very little usable space for development," explained a MANUU official. The university emphasized its conscious effort to protect the natural rock formations and heritage on its campus during any development activities.
Student Outcry and Ongoing Negotiations
The notice has sparked concern among the student community. Students of MANUU have condemned the show-cause notice, labeling it unacceptable and a direct threat to the future of higher education at this central university.
In response to the notice, MANUU has formally requested two months from Ranga Reddy District Collector C. Narayana Reddy to submit a detailed response. The university is awaiting detailed project reports for several proposed buildings from the Central Public Works Department in Hyderabad.
A team of government officials, including the tahsildar and revenue department staff, visited the MANUU campus on Wednesday to discuss the university's expansion plans. Following the discussions, Collector Narayana Reddy indicated a potential resolution, stating, "We are satisfied with the explanation offered by the Registrar. We are willing to withdraw the notice issued to the university upon receiving a written explanation from them."
Prime Location and Past Land Loss
Established in 1998, MANUU's 200-acre campus is now considered prime real estate, situated in the heart of Hyderabad's bustling IT corridor in Gachibowli. The land, dotted with boulders and trees and flanked by main roads, has skyrocketed in value with numerous luxury high-rises emerging in the neighborhood.
This is not the first time the university has faced land challenges. Over the years, it has already lost approximately 1.75 acres to road construction projects leading towards the prominent locality of Khajaguda. The current dispute over 50 acres represents a far more substantial threat to the institution's physical footprint and long-term development vision.
