Hyderabad: How land mafia encroached upon Yellamma Cheruvu buffer zones in Manikonda

Hyderabad: Residents living around Yellamma Cheruvu, near Lanco Hills in Manikonda, have raised serious concerns over large-scale encroachments on the lake’s boundaries.

Alleging unchecked real estate activity, locals claim that lake buffer zones are being illegally occupied, with facilities such as a race course, cricket ground, parking areas, and even a building coming up within the last three months.

Residents have demanded immediate demarcation of the lake’s boundaries to prevent irreversible environmental damage. This was one among 72 complaints that were received during the HYDRAA Prajavani hearing on Monday.

Parkland encroached in Malkajgiri

Residents of Radhakrishna Housing Colony in Malkajgiri mandal, Medchal–Malkajgiri district, complained that out of 600 square yards earmarked for a park in a 355-plot layout spread over 28 acres, 136 square yards have already been encroached upon.

They warned that the remaining parkland is also under threat and urged authorities to demarcate boundaries and erect fencing without delay.

Public utility space under threat in Gachibowli

In TNGO Colony, Gachibowli, residents alleged that land originally reserved for a septic tank and water tanker has been converted into residential plots and is now being prepared for sale. They appealed to HYDRAA to safeguard the site for public utility purposes.

Khanamet: Caste association land allegedly encroached

Near the HITEX Exhibition Grounds in Khanamet, the All India Velama Association reported that land allotted by the government (five acres) is being encroached upon from the rear side while a High Court stay is in place.

The association claimed that even watchmen were attacked when they questioned the encroachments and sought HYDRAA’s intervention to protect the land until legal clarity emerged.

Vanasthalipuram: Repeated attempts to grab public land

In Christian Colony, Vanasthalipuram, residents complained that over 300 square yards earmarked for public use along the Nagarjuna Sagar main road is repeatedly being encroached upon, despite earlier removals by municipal authorities. They urged HYDRAA to permanently secure the land for community use.

Government land misuse in Kapra

Residents of Kapra Circle alleged that layouts were illegally formed and houses constructed on government land in Survey No. 215, even after courts declared it government property, and warning boards were installed.

They further claimed fresh attempts to build sheds and a function hall in Survey No. 222 and demanded immediate action to reclaim the land.

School playground encroached in Kukatpally

In RP Colony, Venkateswara Nagar, Kukatpally, locals alleged that the playground of a Zilla Parishad High School has been encroached upon by private individuals, leaving students without a sports ground.

Despite complaints to the revenue, education, and police authorities, no action was taken, prompting residents to seek HYDRA’s intervention to restore the land to the school.

After reviewing the petitions, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said that all complaints would be examined on priority, and necessary steps would be taken to prevent further encroachments on public lands meant for community welfare.