Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Authority (HYDRAA) task force on Sunday, September 21, carried out demolitions of illegal constructions in Gajularamaram, where over 100 acres of government land had been encroached.
Encroachers built houses on 60–70 square yard plots in Survey No. 307 and were selling them for around Rs 10 lakh each.
During the demolition drive, local residents staged protests claiming they had purchased the houses by paying money. They demanded action against the people who sold them the plots rather than punishing buyers. They also alleged no prior notice was served before their houses were torn down.
In a unique way of protest, a group of women played Bathukamma while others bowed down at the Mandal Revenue Officer’s feet.
300 acres govt land exists in Gajularamaram
According to HYDRAA officials, a total of 300 acres of government land exists in the Gajularamaram area, of which 100 acres were encroached upon in recent years.
Following the demolition, HYDRAA plans to secure all 300 acres with fencing, as the land is now valued at over Rs 15,000 crore.
Situated about 10 km from Hyderabad’s IT corridor, Gajularamaram has seen rapid illegal constructions over the past few years.
Finance Corporation, TGIIC, HMDA land under encroachment
The land originally belonged to departments such as the State Finance Corporation, TGIIC, HMDA, and Housing Board, which had been allotted plots decades ago.
However, since those departments did not take up projects, land grabbers began systematically occupying the space over the last three to four years.
(The story has been rectified and updated with the latest information)
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