HYDRAA Takes Action Against Land Encroachments and Illegal Constructions in Hyderabad
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has launched a significant crackdown on illegal land occupations and unauthorized constructions in the city. On Wednesday, the agency executed two major operations, reclaiming public park land in Meerpet and sealing illegal multi-storey buildings in Manikonda, following persistent complaints from local residents.
Reclamation of Park Land in Meerpet
In the first case, HYDRAA successfully safeguarded a substantial 2,100 square yards of land that was originally earmarked for a public park. This land is located in Nandi Hills Colony within the Meerpet municipality limits of Balapur mandal in Rangareddy district. According to officials, the land reserved for community use had been allegedly encroached upon through dubious means.
Residents reported that portions of the park land were occupied using "by-number" registrations, a method that involves questionable documentation. There were also allegations that fake layouts were created to legitimize the illegal occupation, misleading authorities and depriving the public of essential green space.
HYDRAA commissioner A V Ranganath stated, "Acting on complaints received during HYDRAA Prajavani, we conducted thorough field inspections and meticulously verified revenue and layout records. This process confirmed the encroachment, leading to the reclamation and securing of the entire park land for public use."
Sealing of Illegal Buildings in Manikonda
In a separate and equally critical incident, HYDRAA seized two five-storeyed buildings constructed on land designated for public utilities. These structures were located in Neknampur village under the Manikonda municipal limits. The constructions were carried out using fake layout regularisation scheme (LRS) documents, despite ongoing court cases related to the land.
Commissioner Ranganath explained that the land is part of an HMDA-approved layout in Venkateshwara Colony, where plots were originally reserved for public utilities such as parks and septic tanks. "Permissions for these buildings were allegedly obtained using forged LRS approvals," he noted. "Additionally, one building was constructed on land earmarked for a septic tank and park after approvals were secured directly from HMDA under suspicious circumstances."
Despite attempts by the Manikonda municipality to cancel the permissions due to irregularities, construction continued at a rapid pace, exacerbating the situation. Following numerous complaints and an inquiry ordered by the high court, HYDRAA took decisive action by sealing both structures to prevent further illegal activity.
Coordinated Efforts and Future Implications
On Wednesday, HYDRAA, in collaboration with GHMC and revenue officials, fenced the sites and halted all construction activities. This coordinated effort underscores the agency's commitment to enforcing urban planning norms and protecting public assets from unauthorized exploitation.
The actions taken by HYDRAA highlight several key issues in Hyderabad's urban development:
- Encroachment on Public Land: The misuse of "by-number" registrations and fake layouts to occupy land meant for parks and utilities.
- Forgery in Documentation: The use of forged LRS approvals and other documents to bypass legal requirements.
- Judicial Oversight: The role of high court inquiries in prompting administrative action against illegal constructions.
- Inter-Agency Cooperation: The importance of collaboration between HYDRAA, GHMC, and revenue departments in addressing such violations.
These operations serve as a stern warning to those involved in illegal land dealings and construction activities in Hyderabad. They also reinforce the need for vigilant monitoring and robust enforcement mechanisms to safeguard public spaces and ensure sustainable urban growth. Residents are encouraged to report similar violations through platforms like HYDRAA Prajavani to help maintain the city's infrastructure and green cover.
