Prajavani: HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath urges citizens to avoid investing in unapproved layouts

Hyderabad: Rampant encroachments in unapproved layouts and violations of planning norms have become a growing concern across Hyderabad and its outskirts.

HYDRAA Prajavani received as many as 41 complaints, mostly related to illegal occupation of roads, park spaces, and government lands.

Commissioner warns against buying plots in unapproved layouts

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath urged citizens to avoid investing in unapproved layouts, cautioning that such areas often lack proper infrastructure and are prone to disputes over open spaces.

He said that layouts approved by the HMDA and DTCP maintain prescribed road widths and park areas, ensuring civic order. The Commissioner directed officials to verify each complaint and initiate action to reclaim encroached public spaces.

Encroachments across City and Suburbs

Complaints poured in from multiple mandals in Medchal–Malkajgiri, Ranga Reddy, and Hyderabad districts. In Bollaram Municipality, residents reported that portions of Varakunta Cheruvu in Survey No. 83 were being encroached upon.

In Bachupally mandal, locals alleged that government land in Survey No. 233/15 at Nizampet is under illegal occupation. A resident from Jawahar Nagar village complained that land once allotted to his father, a former Army employee, was taken over by local groups.

Major grievances filed

Madhapur (Serilingampally mandal):

Residents of Ayyappa Society alleged that the 60-foot-wide main road has been narrowed by encroachments on both sides, with makeshift stalls and even residential structures.

Despite earlier clearance following a High Court order, the occupiers have returned. Complainants also alleged intimidation and a Rs 40 lakh demand from encroachers to drop complaints.

Burampet (Medchal district):

Locals alleged that nearly a kilometre of government land has been converted into a road providing access to private ventures. They sought the immediate halting of the activity and restoration of the land.

Aditya Nagar–Balaji Nagar (Hayathnagar mandal):

Two link roads and a designated park were reportedly encroached upon. The Aditya Nagar Residents Welfare Association urged authorities to protect land earmarked for public utilities and green spaces.

Saipriya Nagar (Medipally mandal):

Residents claimed that a 2,000-square-yard park area within a 2,500-plot layout was converted into saleable plots. They demanded that the park be restored for community use.

Officials asked to act swiftly

Commissioner Ranganath reviewed all 41 complaints and assigned the issues to the respective zonal and municipal officers for resolution. He reiterated that encroachments on public roads and open spaces will not be tolerated and directed officials to initiate field-level inspections to reclaim encroached land.