Hyderabad: HYDRAA frees 5 acres of encroached govt land worth Rs 750 Cr at Banjara Hills

Hyderabad: HYDRAA on Friday reclaimed about five acres of prime government land valued at nearly Rs 750 crore in the upscale Banjara Hills area.

The massive operation was carried out amid tight security following complaints from the Revenue Department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB).

Illegal Occupation in the guise of Ownership

The reclaimed land, located in Shaikpet mandal, Road No.10, had been under illegal occupation by one Parthasarathi, who allegedly used fake documents and a fabricated survey number (403/52) to claim ownership.

Officials confirmed that the original survey number 403 belongs to the government. However, the encroacher had fenced off the entire 5-acre stretch, built sheds, deployed bouncers and guard dogs, and even restricted the entry of officials while asserting private ownership.

HMWSSB Project Obstructed

According to officials, the State Government had earlier allotted 1.20 acres of the same land parcel to HMWSSB for the construction of a water reservoir, aimed at improving drinking water supply to several colonies in the vicinity.

However, the illegal occupant reportedly blocked access to the site, preventing the Board from taking up the project. The issue escalated when locals complained that the encroachers were consuming alcohol and creating a nuisance on the government land.

Authorities swing into action

Acting on formal complaints filed by HMWSSB and Revenue officials, HYDRAA initiated a detailed investigation and confirmed the encroachment through land records and survey verification.

Following this, a large contingent of officials and police personnel moved in to clear all illegal structures, including fences, sheds, and temporary shelters erected on the land. The operation was carried out under heavy police protection to prevent any law and order disturbance.

Criminal cases filed

Based on evidence gathered, authorities registered four criminal cases against Parthasarathi at the Banjara Hills Police Station for illegal occupation, forgery of land documents, and obstruction of government work.

Officials also discovered that he was using an unregistered sale deed to make ownership claims, which were found to be baseless.

Land Secured, Government Boards Installed

Post-clearance, HYDRAA teams fenced the entire 5-acre stretch and erected official boards declaring it as government land to prevent further encroachments.

Senior officials from the Revenue Department and HYDRAA emphasized that such drives will continue across Hyderabad to safeguard valuable public lands from illegal occupation.

Firm action against Encroachments

Officials lauded the coordinated effort of the Revenue Department, HMWSSB, and police teams in restoring the high-value property.

“This operation sends a clear message that government land will not be allowed to remain under private occupation, however influential the encroachers may be,” said a senior revenue officer involved in the operation.