HYDRAA demolishes wall blocking road at Praneeth Antilia, commute reduced by 5 km in Bachupally

Hyderabad: In a significant development that triggered brief tension in Bachupally, HYDRAA on Monday removed a compound wall and related structures at Praneeth Antilia layout, restoring a key road link between Mallampet and Bachupally.

Commute reduced from 8 to 3 km

The move, carried out under police protection and citing Telangana High Court directions, has reduced the commuting distance from 8 km to about 3 km for thousands of residents in the surrounding localities.

While authorities described the action as a lawful removal of an obstruction on a public road, residents of the layout staged protests, alleging that the demolition compromised their safety and gated access.

Demolition under police bandobast

The clearance drive was undertaken at Praneeth Antilia layout under Bachupally Police Station limits. HYDRAA officials removed a compound wall, a shed and a transformer wall that were allegedly constructed across a 40-foot road alignment.

As residents attempted to prevent the demolition, police intervened to disperse the gathering. In the ensuing commotion, a few women reportedly sustained minor injuries after falling during a scuffle. Officials stated that the situation was later brought under control and the demolition was completed.

High Court directions and layout status

The issue arose after complaints that the layout management had blocked a public road connecting Mallampet and Bachupally villages in Dundigal mandal.

According to officials, the layout, approved by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), was sanctioned as a group housing project and not as a gated community with exclusive internal road rights.

Authorities maintained that no peripheral roads were approved in the sanctioned plan and that the compound wall encroached upon the designated road alignment.

After the management challenged earlier notices in the High Court, the court directed authorities to follow due process. HYDRAA subsequently issued fresh notices, passed a detailed speaking order last week and proceeded with the removal on Monday, claiming compliance with court guidelines.

ORR exit triggered traffic bottleneck

Officials said traffic congestion intensified after the opening of Exit 4 (Mallampet) on the Nehru Outer Ring Road. Vehicles heading towards Bachupally and Pragathi Nagar were forced to take an 8-km detour due to the blocked stretch.

Following representations from residents of multiple colonies and consultations with HMDA and Traffic Police, HYDRAA decided to open the alternative road passing through the layout to ease congestion.

With the obstruction removed, commuters can now access Bachupally Crossroads and Pragathi Nagar within 3 km from the ORR exit, reducing travel distance by nearly five kilometres.

Benefit to multiple colonies

The restored stretch is expected to benefit residents of Mallampet village and neighbouring colonies, including Praneeth Leaf Colony, Aakash Venture, Dream Valley Colony, Green Park Colony, Sai Nagar Colony, Brindavan Colony, APR Colony, Indiramma Colony, Lakshmi Srinivas Colony and nearby HMDA layouts.

Authorities also indicated that improved connectivity would facilitate planned infrastructure works and future development in the fast-growing suburban belt.

HMDA has commenced laying a BT road on the cleared stretch, with works expected to be completed shortly.

Residents continue legal battle

Residents of Praneeth Antilia, however, contend that they have been living in what functioned as a gated community for over a decade. They argued that opening internal roads to the public affects their privacy and security.