HYDRAA reclaims 2,000 sq yd park land in Kondapur, saves public property worth Rs 30 crore

Hyderabad: In a major anti-encroachment drive, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has successfully reclaimed a 2,000-square-yard park site in Kondapur that was illegally converted into residential plots.

The operation, carried out on Friday, prevented a major land grab in one of Hyderabad’s costliest localities and safeguarded public property worth nearly Rs 30 crore.

Illegal plotting in prime locality

The park area, located in Raghavendra Colony, Kondapur, under Serilingampally mandal of Ranga Reddy district, had originally been earmarked in the approved layout for a public park and community hall.

Taking advantage of the vacant land, a few individuals allegedly created fake “bye numbers” and divided the park site into ten plots of 200 square yards each. Temporary sheds were erected to claim possession and push for regularisation.

Complaint by local residents

The encroachment came to light when members of the Raghavendra Colony C-Block Welfare and Cultural Association lodged a formal complaint through the HYDRAA Prajavani grievance platform.

Responding promptly, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath instructed officials to conduct a joint field inspection with relevant departments.

Upon verification, officials confirmed that the land had been officially earmarked for a park and community hall in the approved layout plan.

Encroachments cleared, land fenced

Following the Commissioner’s directions, HYDRAA officials removed the illegal structures and encroachments from the park site on Friday. To prevent further intrusion, the department fenced the entire area and installed signboards declaring it as parkland protected by HYDRAA.

Residents welcomed the swift action, expressing relief that the park area had been preserved for community use. They noted that the reclaimed site is estimated to be worth around Rs 30 crore in the open market.

Court intervention stopped regularisation

Investigations revealed that the encroachers had not only grabbed the land but had also secured building permissions after getting the plots regularised through fraudulent means.

However, following a High Court order, the GHMC revoked the construction permissions and cancelled the regularisation approvals, bringing relief to local residents and enabling HYDRAA to act decisively.

HYDRAA’s vigilance appreciated

The operation reflects HYDRAA’s growing focus on protecting public lands and open spaces from illegal encroachments. Officials said the authority will continue to act tough against those misusing layout provisions or creating fake documentation to claim government or community land.