Hyderabad: Plot owners who purchased plots in a Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) layout in Medipally of Medchal-Malkajgiri district are expressing distress over the inclusion of their plots in the prohibitory list and the authority's failure to provide promised amenities even after three years. While existing plot owners remain concerned, HMDA is preparing for another phase of plot auctions in the same layout scheduled for June 24.
Key Issues Faced by Plot Owners
The major issues include survey number 62 being incorporated in the prohibitory list, legal disputes involving land assignees who contributed their land for the layout, encroachments including religious structures, and the lack of a proper approach road. Plot owners claim that these issues remain unresolved by HMDA, the revenue department, and the Medchal-Malkajgiri district administration.
Plot owners alleged that a lack of coordination between HMDA and the revenue department has caused hardship to those who invested lakhs of rupees in purchasing plots. They have approached HMDA authorities demanding resolution of pending issues, especially the removal of their lands from the prohibitory list, as they are unable to resell properties or obtain bank loans for house construction.
Background of the Layout
HMDA developed the layout with about 434 plots in 2022 on approximately 56 acres in survey number 62 of Medipally village and auctioned nearly 100 plots in phases I and II in May 2023. Since it was an HMDA-developed layout, buyers purchased plots at rates ranging between Rs 30,000 to Rs 63,000 per square yard. The authority was supposed to provide all amenities, including internal roads, drainage, an approach road, and electricity, within 18 months of the auction. However, many amenities were not provided, including electricity until recently.
M Padma Reddy, president of the Medipally HMDA Colony Welfare Association, stated in a representation to HMDA: "We bought plots in the HMDA layout believing it had a clear title and that we would not face any issues. However, the plots have been included in the prohibitory list, and they need to be removed immediately. Even three years after the auction, work on the electrical substation has not begun. Although some assignee farmers who moved court have withdrawn their cases, the revenue department is not taking over the lands for laying roads and other infrastructure works." He urged the authorities to provide immediate resolution to their issues.
Official Response
Officials said HMDA developed the layout in survey number 62 over 56 acres and allocated 226 plots to assignees whose land had been acquired by the revenue department for the layout. However, some farmers approached the court despite having earlier given their consent to the government. Officials also admitted the presence of religious structures and encroachments on land earmarked for parks and roads.
A senior HMDA official explained: "Survey number 62 was kept in the prohibitory list to prevent the registration of assignee lands in favor of others, as there are other assignee lands. In addition, some land was allotted to the Rachakonda police and 10 acres to freedom fighters. We have requested the revenue department to resolve the issues." The official added that the revenue department, responsible for clearing encroachments and court cases before handing over land to HMDA, has failed to do so. Now, upon HMDA's request, the department has initiated measures to resolve them, the official further said.
