Hyderabad: How land sharks gobbled up six parks, open spaces at Bhagyalakshmi Colony

Hyderabad: Allegations of large-scale encroachment of parks, roads, and other public utility spaces dominated the weekly Prajavani grievance redressal programme of HYDRAA on Monday.

As many as 65 complaints were received from residents across Greater Hyderabad and surrounding districts.

Complainants alleged that areas originally earmarked as parks in approved layouts were later converted into residential plots and sold off by developers, landowners, and even some colony welfare associations. They said this trend was prevalent across layouts approved by gram panchayats, municipalities, and even the erstwhile HUDA.

Despite gift deeds being executed in favour of local bodies for park lands, the complainants alleged that such spaces were illegally converted into plots. Roads and lands meant for public use were also being encroached upon, they said.

Parks under encroachment

Residents of Sri Ram Nagar Colony at Bhagyanagar, Ranga Reddy district, complained that two parks spread over 300 square yards in Survey No. 97 were being encroached upon.

They alleged that four such encroachments were taking place in the colony and urged HYDRAA to act immediately to protect the park lands.

In another complaint from Champapet village of Saroornagar mandal, residents said a 361-square-yard park in Durga Bhavani Nagar had already been converted into a house site.

Multiple Parks at risk in Medchal–Malkajgiri

Residents of Bhagyalakshmi Colony under Subhash Nagar limits in Quthbullapur mandal alleged encroachments on six parks and open spaces located near plots numbered 317–318, 284–285, 265–266, 259–260, 320, and between 336–337.

They said that although GHMC had earlier issued work orders for the construction of a compound wall, the works were stalled due to political interference.

Parklands lost to construction

In Sri Hills Colony Phase-II at Almasguda under Badangpet circle, residents said a 2,260-square-yard park earmarked in a 1983-approved layout of 460 plots had already seen construction of six houses. They urged authorities to at least protect the remaining portion of the park.

Roads and Drainage channels encroached

Residents of Vijay Vihar Enclave at Machabollaram complained that a 20-foot-wide space reserved for a road and stormwater drain was encroached upon by adjacent landowners, demanding restoration of the land as per the approved layout.

Similarly, in Sri Sai Reddy Layout at Machabollaram, encroachments on the feeder channel of Mutkul Kunta lake were said to have blocked water outflow, resulting in flooding of nearly 90 plots. Residents said the lake, once spread over 5.22 acres, had shrunk due to illegal constructions and the inflow of sewage.

Access roads narrowed

In Green Parks Colony at Gandamguda, Bandlaguda Jagir, residents alleged that encroachments along the Hyder Shahkot–Bairagiguda main road had reduced its width from 30 feet by more than 12 feet, severely affecting access to the colony.

Manikonda Complaints

Representatives of the YSR Secretariat Employees’ Colony at Manikonda complained that lands measuring 2,236 square yards and 1,163 square yards earmarked for parks and public utilities were under threat of encroachment. They also raised concerns over alleged encroachments on Wakf lands in the area.

The residents thanked HYDRAA for earlier action that led to the restoration of a 60-foot road connecting Venkateswara Nagar and YSR Colony.

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath personally reviewed the complaints and directed concerned officials to take responsibility for time-bound resolution, issuing instructions in the presence of the complainants.