HYDRAA tightens grip on Hyd land mafia
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has launched an unprecedented crackdown on land encroachments across the city, sending shockwaves through real estate circles and among illegal occupants. Established to protect government assets and improve disaster response, HYDRAA has intensified its mission to reclaim encroached public lands worth thousands of crores - many of which were under illegal possession for decades.
Why HYDRAA was formed?
With Hyderabad expanding rapidly and urban flooding becoming a recurring concern, the state government reorganized the former Enforcement, Vigilance, and Disaster Management Wing into HYDRAA on July 19, 2024, under the direction of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. Its mandate - to protect government lands, lakes, drainage channels, and public parks and to demolish illegal constructions without hesitation.
Record land recovery
Under the supervision of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, the agency has achieved record-breaking results since its inception. From July 2024 to date, HYDRAA has removed over 581 encroachments and reclaimed about 923 acres of government land, valued between ₹45,000 crore and ₹50,000 crore. These include prime real estate, water bodies, public roads, and park lands illegally occupied by individuals, developers, and even politically backed entities.
Major operations - Kondapur and Gajularamaram
In a high-profile operation in Kondapur’s Bikshapathi Nagar, HYDRAA reclaimed 36 acres of land (Survey No. 59) long held by 12 farmers, following a High Court order. Though the land’s official valuation stands around ₹7 crore, its market worth is believed to be several times higher.
At Gajularamaram, HYDRAA faced stiff resistance while reclaiming 317 acres of government property. Protesters pelted stones at officials, leading to tense confrontations. Similar scenes unfolded across several neighborhoods where demolitions led to emotional protests, clashes with police, and even suicide attempts by distraught occupants.
Legal battles and political fallout
Several encroachers have taken HYDRAA to court, but in most cases, the High Court and Supreme Court have upheld the agency’s actions. The agency is also investigating alleged collusion between real estate players, politicians, and revenue or GHMC officials who facilitated encroachments by providing utilities and collecting property taxes from illegal constructions.
High-value land restored
In one of its latest missions, HYDRAA cleared five acres of encroached land on Banjara Hills Road No. 10, restoring it to the government. Similar operations were conducted in Quthbullapur, Gajularamaram, and Mahadevpur, where public park areas had been converted into private plots. In Medchal village, HYDRAA reclaimed three acres of land originally allotted for public amenities in a 2005 layout developed by (Attorney General) AG’s office employees. In Abdullapurmet, it cleared encroachments on 680 square yards of designated park land.
Officials say the agency is committed to continuing its inspections and demolition drives to safeguard public properties and urged citizens to report illegal constructions immediately.
Why the Saturday raids?
Interestingly, HYDRAA’s demolition drives mostly happen on weekends. Officials say this timing is deliberate - courts and most government offices remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, limiting the chances of last-minute legal interventions or political pressure. Encroachers now dread weekends, with many anxiously wondering where HYDRAA’s next operation will strike. “Saturday has become a day of fear,” remarked a resident from the city’s outskirts, as the agency’s surprise raids continue to tighten the pressure on Hyderabad’s land mafia.