HYDRAA Reclaims Public Land in Kondapur Amid Encroachment Concerns
In a significant move to protect community assets, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has successfully secured nearly seven acres of land in Kondapur, which was originally earmarked for parks and public utilities. This action came in response to persistent complaints from residents about encroachments in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Colony area, highlighting a growing issue of unauthorized land use in urban spaces.
Historical Layout and Designated Public Spaces
According to official records, a gram panchayat layout for Rajarajeshwari Nagar Colony was approved back in 1993, comprising a total of 2,059 plots. This layout clearly designated specific areas for public welfare: five acres were set aside for a government junior college, almost one acre for a school, over one acre for parks, and 2,181 square yards for a community hall. These allocations were intended to serve the needs of the local community, ensuring access to essential amenities and recreational spaces.
Resident Complaints and Encroachment Issues
Residents of the colony raised serious allegations that portions of this reserved land had been illegally encroached upon. For instance, around 1,000 square yards of land meant for a school had been developed into an apartment block, while private shops and sheds were constructed on areas designated for community use. Additionally, encroachments were reportedly affecting roads within the layout, causing inconvenience and violating the planned infrastructure. The colony welfare association, during HYDRAA's public grievance programme, emphasized that lands reserved for parks and public purposes are not eligible for regularisation under schemes like the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) and must remain dedicated to community use.
HYDRAA's Intervention and Protective Measures
Following the complaints, HYDRAA officials conducted a thorough field inspection to verify the land status. They confirmed that the areas in question were indeed parkland and public utility spaces as per the approved layout. In response, HYDRAA took decisive action by removing all encroachments. To prevent future violations, fences were erected around the identified plots, and signs were prominently displayed to indicate their designated public use. This effort aims to safeguard these spaces for the benefit of approximately 5,000 families residing in the colony, ensuring they have access to green areas and essential facilities as originally planned.
This proactive step by HYDRAA underscores the importance of preserving public land for community welfare and sets a precedent for addressing similar encroachment issues in other parts of Hyderabad.
