Hyderabad: How construction firm dug up municipal pipelines and blocked stormwater drain with impunity in Gajularamaram

Hyderabad: A blocked stormwater channel at Vokshit Hill View Colony in Gajularamaram has become the latest flashpoint in the fight against land encroachments in Hyderabad.

Residents alleged that a private construction company building apartments dug up municipal pipelines and obstructed a natural drain leading to Bandham Cheruvu, causing severe water stagnation, sewage overflow, and health hazards for nearly 200 families.

This case was among the 64 complaints submitted to the HYDRAA Prajavani grievance platform, reflecting a rising frustration over the illegal occupation of public spaces, including roads, parks, drains, open wells, and lake buffer zones.

Flooding fear at BN Reddy Nagar

Residents of Hariharapuri Colony in Hayathnagar reported the closure of water inlets to Kaprai Cheruvu, disrupting its natural outflow towards a downstream water body. With 20 colonies depending on the drainage line, residents warned that continued blockage could trigger flooding during heavy rains.

Layout roads and plots merged in Pasumamula

A group representing an approved 1982 layout in Pasumamula village complained that a neighbouring landowner illegally extended private boundaries into their sanctioned layout, absorbing internal roads and merging several registered plots.

Public well encroached in Alwal

Residents of Venkateshpuram Bank Colony reported an attempted takeover of a 372-sq-yard open well, meant for community use. The colony association alleged that fencing erected by GHMC was removed, and forged land papers were used to initiate a private claim.

Government land under dispute in Serilingampally

Residents alleged illegal attempts to reoccupy more than 200 acres of government-reclaimed land in Survey No. 124/1, which was originally allotted to private entities that failed to utilize it.

HUDA layout boundaries altered in Madinaguda

Members of Hridaya Cooperative Society alleged that approximately 1.5 acres of layout land, including roads and residential spaces, were encroached through misleading documentation submitted to HMDA.

Similarly, residents of Kondapur’s Raghavendra Colony sought protection of a public school site and parking zone, portions of which have already been taken over.

Recovered park inspires confidence

Residents of Moosapet Anjaneya Nagar acknowledged HYDRAA’s successful recovery of a 2,000-square-yard encroached park area and requested that the authority formally develop the land to prevent further illegal occupation.

Evidence-based review by Authorities

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath reviewed the complaints using Google Maps, revenue records, and Survey of India maps to verify land patterns and encroachments.

Residents were shown how layouts originally existed and how boundaries shifted over time, providing clarity and confidence that corrective action would follow. Instructions were issued to relevant municipal, irrigation, and revenue officials for field verification and action, Ranganath said.