Curation Team
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has reclaimed over 300 acres of prime govt land in Gajularamaram, Quthbullapur – touted to be one of the biggest land recovery operations in Telangana. Currently, every acre in Gajularamaram is priced about Rs 50 crore, pushing the total value of the 300 acres to nearly Rs 15,000 crore.
According to HYDRAA officials, the land was originally with the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State Finance Corporation. Following bifurcation, the ownership shifted from the AP to the Telangana State Finance Corporation (TSFC).
“During this transition, several politicians, real estate players, bureaucrats and other influential individuals encroached on this property, taking advantage of disputes and administrative delays,” claimed an official from HYDRAA.
The agency launched the operation to reclaim this land about six months ago after receiving public complaints and following detailed investigation.
Officials said that the agency worked in coordination with the revenue department and local police to clear out illegal structures and gain control of the land. The property has now been fenced to prevent further encroachments.
“On the Pragathi Nagar side, large encroachments were removed, while hundreds of homes occupied by poor families were spared. However, incomplete or unoccupied houses without fittings like doors and windows were taken down,” said AV Ranganath, commissioner, HYDRAA.
He added: “Local land-grabbers built small one-room houses, arranged electricity connections, and sold them for Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Police complaints are being filed against such individuals and also officials who facilitated these land deals with fake documents.”
Officials said that around 40 acres were occupied by families, many of whom purchased 60 to 120 square yard plots through fraudulent sales, allegedly involving local politicians and officials. However, HYDRAA has instructed field staff not to demolish residential dwellings of poor families.
Officials alleged that local rowdy sheeters, including Sheikh Abid (with a rowdy sheet at Jagadgirigutta police station), sold multiple plots in the area. Several layouts and ventures were developed simultaneously, covering 12 acres in Gajularamaram and another 20-acre layout towards Pragathi Nagar.
Officials said that no occupied homes were demolished and only properties built with the intention of fraudulent sales were removed.
