In a significant crackdown on illegal land occupation, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) executed a major operation in the city's western suburbs, reclaiming valuable government land worth thousands of crores.
Major Land Reclamation in Miyapur
On Saturday, HYDRAA carried out a substantial anti-encroachment drive at Maktha Mahabubpet in Serilingampally mandal, which falls under Rangareddy district. The agency successfully reclaimed a vast 15 acres of government land, with officials estimating its staggering market value at approximately ₹3,000 crore.
The operation was launched following numerous complaints regarding large-scale illegal encroachments on the state-owned property. HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath provided context, noting that this was not the first action in the area. "In an earlier operation on December 8 last year, HYDRAA cleared encroachments on over five acres in the same survey number. We removed 18 illegal sheds spread across nearly 200 meters along the Miyapur-Bachupally main road," Ranganath stated.
Securing the Land and Legal Action
During the latest drive, the agency discovered that the land had been illegally demarcated and occupied. The encroachments were thoroughly cleared. To prevent future illegal occupation, the reclaimed area was promptly fenced, and signboards were erected declaring it as government property.
The operation was conducted meticulously after a joint field inspection involving officials from all concerned departments. This action also comes against the backdrop of reports concerning illegal land registrations, which recently led to the suspension of the local sub-registrar. A case has already been registered against an individual named Imran, who is accused of encroaching upon nearly 1.5 acres using documents linked to a different survey number.
Separate Action to Protect Water Board Land
In a distinct but related instance, HYDRAA intervened to safeguard another piece of vital public infrastructure land. The agency secured four acres of land belonging to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) at Rampally village in Keesara mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri district.
This land was originally allotted by the government for the water board's operational requirements. However, local residents had reportedly obstructed HMWSSB's efforts to take possession of the plot and construct a boundary wall. Acting on a formal request from the water board, HYDRAA officials conducted a field-level inspection with relevant department authorities, confirmed the HMWSSB's ownership, and took steps to secure the site by fencing it and installing identification boards.
Impact and Ongoing Vigilance
These coordinated operations underscore the administration's intensified focus on retrieving precious public land from encroachers and protecting government assets. The fencing and signage are critical steps to deter future attempts at illegal occupation. The high value of the reclaimed land in Miyapur highlights the scale of the issue and the significant financial loss such encroachments pose to the state exchequer.
HYDRAA's proactive measures, prompted by citizen complaints and inter-departmental cooperation, send a strong message against illegal land grabbing in and around Hyderabad. The agency continues to play a pivotal role in asset protection, ensuring that government land is used for its intended public purpose.
