HYDRAA Drive Restores Playground Worth ₹100 Crore in Old City’s Shastripuram Area

In a decisive move against encroachments , the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Wednesday reclaimed a 6,500-square-yard playground worth nearly ₹100 crore in Shastripuram Colony of Rajendranagar , demolishing a cluster of illegal constructions that had come up over the past three years. The land, originally part of a 188-acre HMDA-approved layout , was clearly designated as a sports ground , but was gradually converted into an unauthorised residential zone through notarised plot sales , a method often used to bypass formal approvals. Despite GHMC notices and demolition orders issued earlier, construction continued, exposing gaps in enforcement until HYDRAA stepped in following complaints from residents.

Acting on verified records and field inspections, authorities launched a demolition drive under heavy police security , razing five G+3 buildings that were under construction along with two smaller structures, while sparing two occupied buildings on humanitarian grounds. The operation not only restored the land for its intended public use but also marked a significant moment for local residents, who had long faced intimidation by land grabbers while resisting the encroachment. Many expressed relief, calling it a long-awaited victory that would finally provide a safe recreational space for children.

The Shastripuram action is part of a broader and increasingly aggressive campaign by HYDRAA to reclaim public land across Hyderabad. In recent weeks, the agency has cleared lake encroachments in Manchirevula, removed obstructions from critical stormwater drains in Jubilee Hills to prevent flooding, and protected park-designated lands in multiple areas from illegal conversion. These coordinated operations highlight a growing focus on preserving urban planning norms and safeguarding essential community spaces amid rapid expansion.

Established in 2024, HYDRAA has emerged as a central enforcement body working alongside civic and revenue departments, aiming not just to remove illegal structures but to restore balance in the city’s development. With this latest action, authorities have sent a strong message that government land , especially spaces meant for public use, will not be allowed to be misused, and that similar drives will continue across the city to curb unplanned growth and protect community infrastructure.