Plot owners in Gopanpally, Boduppal complain of land grabs, illegal layouts; HYDRAA holds survey

Hyderabad: In response to a series of public grievances, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath on Wednesday conducted on-site inspections across several areas in Hyderabad, focusing on allegations of large-scale land encroachments and layout violations.

Real estate firms encroached on plots in Gopanpally

The commissioner began his visit at Ranganath Nagar in Gopanpally, Serilingampally mandal, where residents and plot owners alleged that their entire 850-plot layout—spread over 184 acres and developed in 1985—was illegally occupied by real estate groups during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the complainants, houses were demolished, roads and parks erased, and even a local temple was not spared. Plot owners, who gathered under the Ranganath Nagar Plot Owners’ Association, said that despite a High Court order—based on Supreme Court directions—mandating the removal of encroachments within four weeks, no action had been taken.

They also alleged physical intimidation, claiming that bouncers had been deployed to prevent them from even approaching their plots. Assuring the complainants of swift action, commissioner Ranganath promised to summon both parties for a hearing within 10 days.

“We will examine the issue from every angle and ensure justice is served,” he said.

Complaints were also raised about the unauthorised sale of plots on burial ground land and the lack of fencing around 60 acres allotted to the Housing Board in Gopanpally, making it vulnerable to encroachments.

Former MLA trying to take over land in Boduppal

The commissioner also visited Chengicherla and Boduppal areas in Medchal district, where similar complaints were lodged.

In Aravind Colony, residents alleged that a former MLA was attempting to encroach upon their 444-plot layout developed decades ago beside Endowments Department land. They accused him of falsely claiming the land as temple property and blocking registrations.

In Boduppal’s Vikas Welfare Colony, locals accused a political figure of trying to grab 35 out of 70 plots in the layout. They claimed that roads and park spaces had been removed in an attempt to repurpose the land for private gain.

Plot owners in Shaikpet asked to show ownership

At OU Colony in Shaikpet, the commissioner also investigated reports of illegal road constructions and directed plot owners to submit all related documents for verification.

Commissioner Ranganath’s inspection marks a strong administrative response to what many residents describe as systemic and large-scale encroachments, with assurances of accountability and legal action in the coming days.