HYDRAA's Major Anti-Encroachment Drive Reclaims High-Value Land in Hyderabad
In a significant enforcement action, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) executed a large-scale demolition drive on Thursday, successfully clearing illegal encroachments surrounding the Mondikunta lake near the Hitex exhibition centre in the city's Madhapur area. The operation resulted in the recovery of nearly 11 acres of precious government land, with officials estimating its market value at an astonishing ₹2,200 crore.
Public Complaints Trigger Action Through Prajavani Programme
The decisive move was initiated after HYDRAA received multiple complaints from concerned local residents via its Prajavani public grievance redressal programme. Citizens had raised serious alarms about portions of the Mondikunta lake and adjacent government land being unlawfully occupied by various commercial entities and temporary structures.
Acting promptly on these complaints, HYDRAA officials conducted a thorough joint inspection with representatives from the revenue department and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). This collaborative assessment confirmed the widespread encroachments before authorities greenlit the demolition operation in the Khanamet area of Serilingampally.
Verification Process and Demolition Details
Prior to taking action, authorities meticulously verified official revenue records and analyzed high-resolution satellite imagery obtained from the National Remote Sensing Centre to establish the exact boundaries of the encroached areas. "All concerned parties were duly informed in advance about the impending action," clarified officials, ensuring procedural transparency.
During the carefully coordinated drive conducted under tight police protection, HYDRAA teams removed numerous temporary sheds and several established commercial establishments. "The cleared structures included mechanic workshops and iron shops, some of which had been constructed within the lake's full tank level limits and on surrounding government land," explained HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath.
Post-Clearance Measures and Community Requests
To prevent immediate re-encroachment, authorities have installed protective fencing around the reclaimed perimeter. Following the successful clearance operation, local residents have appealed to the government to initiate development and beautification projects for the Mondikunta lake area.
Community members are specifically requesting the creation of public parks and recreational spaces on the recovered land, transforming what was illegally occupied territory into community assets that benefit all Hyderabad citizens. This operation demonstrates HYDRAA's commitment to protecting public resources and responding effectively to citizen concerns through its Prajavani platform.
