8-year fight: Pocharam residents rejoice after HYDRAA demolishes illegal wall

Hyderabad: After eight years of legal and civic struggle, residents of a Pocharam layout finally regained full access to their plots when the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) demolished an illegally constructed boundary wall.

Families rejoiced as they could now directly view and access their properties, marking the culmination of a long-standing dispute.

27-acre layout at the center of dispute

The Bhavani Nagar layout in Prathapsingaram village, Medchal-Malkajgiri district, was established in 1978 over 27 acres with around 400 plots. Initially approved by the Gram Panchayat, it later came under municipal jurisdiction.

A 6.14-acre section of the layout, owned by Malipeddi Janardhan Reddy and managed by his son Malipeddi Madhusudhan Reddy, was converted into agricultural land.

The family created a passbook under the farmer assistance scheme and erected a boundary wall that blocked access for neighbouring plot owners. Complaints were lodged with local revenue authorities and the district collector, but access remained restricted for years.

Barrier blocks residents for years

The 2017-18 construction of the boundary wall around 6.18 acres completely obstructed roads to several plots. Residents of the Bhavani Nagar Welfare Association petitioned HYDRAA, citing denial of access and violations of layout regulations.

A field inspection ordered by Hydra Commissioner AV Ranganath, conducted with municipal and revenue officials, confirmed that the wall was unauthorised and hindered access to legitimate plots.

HYDRAA’s intervention restores access

Following a detailed review and meetings with all stakeholders—including Madhusudhan Reddy, plot owners and officials—HYDRAA ordered the demolition of the wall. The move ensured residents could freely access their plots, resolving the dispute that had persisted for nearly a decade.

Residents celebrate hard-won victory

Residents expressed immense relief and gratitude, celebrating what they described as “the freedom of our plots.” Families immediately began identifying and surveying their plots as per the official layout.

Many praised HYDRAA and government authorities for taking decisive action, ending years of frustration.