“66 acres to 30”: How encroachments are swallowing Secunderabad’s Boyin Cheruvu

Hyderabad: Residents of Hasmathpet in Secunderabad have alleged that Boyin Cheruvu has shrunk from 66 acres to nearly 30 acres due to encroachments.

They have urged authorities to take immediate steps to protect the waterbody.

The plea was among 59 complaints received during Monday’s Prajavani grievance redressal programme, where citizens from across Hyderabad and surrounding districts flagged alleged encroachments on parks, lakes, open wells, cremation grounds, and other lands reserved for public use.

Miyapur residents seek protection for parkland

In Miyapur, Rangareddy district, members of the Lakshminagar Colony Owners Welfare Association sought protection of parkland abutting Nayamma Kunta.

They appealed to authorities not to grant fresh construction permissions in the area and instead develop it as a green space through plantation drives.

Layout lands allegedly converted into plots

Several complainants alleged that lands earmarked as parks and public utility spaces at the time of layout approvals, and in some cases formally transferred to authorities through gift deeds, were later converted into residential plots.

In Saheb Nagar of Hayathnagar mandal, Rangareddy district, residents of a 16.35-acre Medical & Health Colony layout (Survey No. 225) alleged that a 305-square-yard open well area identified in the original layout was filled up in 2002 and sold as plots nearly two decades later. The colony welfare association sought restoration of the site for community use.

In EC Nagar, Cherlapally, under Kapra mandal in Medchal–Malkajgiri district, residents complained that one acre allocated as park land was encroached upon by the layout developer himself. They alleged that despite municipal boards identifying the land as a park, a boundary wall was constructed around it and access was restricted.

Similarly, in Mithila Nagar and Vishnupriya Enclave in Gajularamaram village, Qutbullapur mandal, residents alleged encroachments in a 35-gunta park area under the pretext of constructing temples and urged authorities to preserve it strictly for public use.

Lake encroachments and flood concerns

Residents of Green Hills Colony in Nadargul village under Shamshabad zone, Maheshwaram constituency, complained that encroachments along flood channels connecting Sunnam Cheruvu, Reddykunta, and other lakes have disrupted natural drainage.

They said their homes remain inundated for nearly a month during the monsoon each year and appealed for immediate removal of encroachments and restoration of inter-lake connectivity.

Residents from Lal Darwaza in the Old City also complained that nearly two acres once classified as Gramkantham land had been encroached upon.

Civic utility lands under threat

In Bandamkommu village of Ameenpur Municipality, residents alleged that lands earmarked for a crematorium, water tank, and Mahila Bhavan were being encroached upon by real estate developers. They further claimed intimidation when they attempted to resist the alleged illegal activities.

Citizens felicitate HYDRAA

In a positive note, residents from the Indus Valley-2 layout in Ameenpur Municipality expressed gratitude after HYDRAA intervened to protect a 672-square-yard park that was allegedly being converted into plots.

Following the intervention, residents developed the park by installing cement benches and planting saplings. The Commissioner felicitated community representatives and field officials for their proactive efforts.

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath scrutinised the petitions and instructed the respective officials to look into the grievances. He assured that field inspections would be carried out wherever required and emphasised that safeguarding public lands, parks, and water bodies is a top priority.

He also added that suitable action would follow after thorough verification of each complaint.