Hyderabad's Growing Burial Crisis Leaves Families in Distress
Hyderabad finds itself in the grip of a deepening burial crisis. As the city expands rapidly and land values skyrocket, traditional burial grounds are disappearing at an alarming rate. This silent vanishing act forces grieving families to undertake heartbreaking journeys of hundreds of kilometers or pay exorbitant amounts just to secure a final resting place for their loved ones.
The Heart of the Crisis in Telangana's Capital
Hyderabad, as Telangana's largest urban center, sits right at the epicenter of this troubling situation. Most graveyards and cemeteries across the city are now either completely full or seriously encroached upon. What should remain a solemn and dignified rite of passage has transformed into a complex logistical and emotional ordeal for countless families.
The problem cuts across all faiths with striking similarity. Space is running out fast, and dignity in death is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. The crisis shows no signs of easing as urban development continues to swallow available land.
A Family's 500-Kilometer Journey for Burial
Last September brought a stark example of this crisis to light. A family from Kompally faced an impossible situation when local authorities allegedly denied them burial space at a church near Hyderabad. They made the difficult decision to transport their 92-year-old relative's body over 500 kilometers to Nagpur for burial.
The family revealed that burial space had initially been allotted in a village on Hyderabad's outskirts. However, local residents raised strong objections and created insurmountable hurdles, preventing the burial from taking place there.
"After that, we decided to go to Nagpur since that was my father's native place and he had many memories and friends there," explained a family member. "The church authorities were also not aware at that time about following the due procedure for converting the land into a burial ground."
Muslim Graveyards Reach Breaking Point
Hyderabad is estimated to have nearly 1,000 burial grounds across various religions, but the pressure on Muslim graveyards has reached a critical stage. Many of the city's major kabrastans, including the historic Old Eidgah and Dargah Hazrat Yusufain, are several centuries old and now almost entirely full.
Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini, mutawalli of dargahs, provided sobering context. "Graveyards attached to dargahs were once large and spacious. Over the decades, with urban growth, they filled up. Around 90% to 95% of them are now full, including the historic Dargah Hazrat Yusufain graveyard."
Custodians emphasize that the crisis worsens due to the complete absence of new burial land within accessible city limits. One custodian, speaking anonymously, stressed that the government must urgently allocate new land parcels to ease the unbearable pressure on existing graveyards.
Encroachments Compound the Problem
Waqf lands protection activist Mohammed Hassan argues that the core issue extends beyond simple scarcity. "In several places, residential colonies have come up and encroachments have even entered tomb areas. The Telangana Waqf Board does not have the power to remove encroachments on its own. If the authorities delay action, the land is permanently lost. The board should be given direct powers to remove encroachments," he stated firmly.
Hassan specifically cited graveyards at Dargah Shah Khamosh, Ziaguda kabrastan, Puranapul, Old Eidgah, Barhana Shah Sahab Dargah and Sultan Daira near Chanchalguda jail as particularly affected by encroachment issues.
Government Allotments Remain Largely Unused
In 2023, the then BRS government allocated 125 acres for new graveyards on Hyderabad's outskirts—72.22 acres in Rangareddy and 52.18 acres in Medchal Malkajgiri. However, these sites remain largely unused today.
Syed Hussaini, a senior member of the waqf board, explained the practical problem. "The land is too far from the city, and people prefer burial grounds close to their neighbourhoods. Encroachments are continuing with the government's knowledge. Many graveyards are government land, not waqf land."
A recent allotment of just one acre in Jubilee Hills for a Muslim burial ground was widely seen as completely inadequate. This allocation sparked protests over land value concerns and allegations of political appeasement. The high court has since stayed this allotment.
Community Resistance to New Burial Grounds
In early January, residents of Erragadda took to the streets in strong opposition to the government's plan to allocate land for a graveyard beside their homes. Families from Brigade Citadel, Vasavi Brundavanam, Kalpataru and adjacent colonies joined the protest.
They argued convincingly that the proposed site, nestled amid densely populated apartment complexes, was entirely unsuitable for a burial ground. Residents raised legitimate concerns about public health, safety and proper civic processes.
Minister's Assurance on Burial Spaces
Minority welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin told reporters that the state government would fulfill all announcements and assurances made to Muslim and Christian communities regarding burial spaces. "We will provide burial spaces as per the requirements of both communities. I am yet to go through the high court order in the Erragadda graveyard matter. After examining it, we will discuss the issue with the waqf board before taking further steps," he assured.
Illegal Monetization Deepens the Crisis
Adding to the community's distress is the illegal monetization of burial spaces. Families report costs ranging from ₹5,000 to several lakhs for a single grave.
Mohammed Asif, a businessman from Sheikhpet, shared his experience. "The closer the grave is to a Sufi shrine at a dargah, the higher the price. I paid ₹50,000 to bury my father at a popular dargah."
Hussaini warned that while charity remains acceptable, turning burials into profit-driven transactions—and even reusing old graves—has significantly deepened the existing crisis.
Christian Community Faces Equal Hardship
The Christian community in Hyderabad confronts an equally severe shortage of burial land. In both Hyderabad and Secunderabad, existing cemeteries are almost completely full, forcing families to conduct burials in far-flung locations like Ghatkesar, Keesara and Balapur.
The in-charge of a Protestant cemetery in Hyderabad expressed the community's frustration. "Finding a burial place in the city is next to impossible. Even in the outskirts, there is resistance from local burial ground associations. But when someone dies, what option do we have? The body cannot be kept at home indefinitely."
Unfulfilled Promises After Telangana's Formation
Community leaders recall that after Telangana's formation, former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao promised to allot 43.5 acres for Christian burial grounds in Hyderabad. Except for two acres in Shadnagar, this promise remains largely unfulfilled today.
Goneh Solomon Raj, general secretary of the Telangana United Christians and Pastors Association, highlighted the even more dire situation in districts. "In some places, families are forced to bury the dead near railway tracks or between small hillocks. Palvancha town in Bhadradri Kothagudem district does not have a single cemetery even today. There are many such mandals," he revealed.
Grave Reuse and Extreme Situations
Like Muslim graveyards, Christian cemeteries have also begun reusing graves due to severe space constraints. This hardship has led to extreme and distressing situations for grieving families.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy has promised to allocate land for Christian burial grounds during meetings with community delegations and at state-sponsored Christmas events. TUCPA has submitted repeated representations pressing for action.
Solomon Raj made a clear demand. "At least one acre of land should be allotted in every mandal so people can bury their loved ones nearby."
Families Caught Between Faith and Practical Reality
As burial spaces continue to disappear across Hyderabad, families from all communities find themselves in an impossible position. They remain caught between their faith, their grief, and unkept governmental assurances. Their hope persists that dignity in death will eventually no longer depend solely on distance traveled or affordability.
The crisis continues to deepen with each passing day, affecting real people during their most vulnerable moments. The need for immediate, practical solutions grows more urgent as Hyderabad's expansion shows no signs of slowing.
