HYDRAA’s biggest crackdown yet - 300 acres fenced, encroachments demolished

In a crackdown on land encroachment, the Telangana government’s special enforcement agency HYDRAA carried out a major demolition drive early Sunday at Gajularamaram, on Hyderabad’s outskirts . The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency formed in mid-2024 to safeguard public land - began knocking down dozens of illegal structures erected on government land in the Quthbullapur area of Medchal-Malkajgiri district .

Officials said the drive targeted roughly 100 acres of encroached government property in Survey No. 397. These unauthorized developments consisted mostly of single-storey houses each built on about 60–70 square yards of land, which were then sold by encroachers for around ₹10 lakh apiece. By clearing this area, HYDRAA freed land valued at roughly ₹4,500 crore but emphasized that this was only part of the problem. In total, about 300 acres of government land lie in the region, with an estimated market value of ₹15,000 crore, according to the agency

The contested land had been allocated years ago to public entities like the State Finance Corporation and other development agencies but remained unused. In recent years, it was gradually “encroachment by encroachment” occupied by various parties, some of whom built makeshift homes or sold parcels in a large-scale racket. Authorities estimate that over 100 acres of this site were already under illegal possession before the operation

HYDRAA officials noted that local politicians and officials were allegedly involved in this scheme, often using the names of poor people to erect temporary structures and hide the grab of expensive land

HYDRAA’s demolition teams moved in under heavy security on Sunday morning. Bulldozers and enforcement officers – accompanied by police and local civic staff – systematically demolished the illegal homes and other structures. Meanwhile, many local residents, claiming innocence, staged demonstrations. These residents said they had spent their savings to buy the houses on what they believed was valid land. They stood in front of the bulldozers with their children, demanding that police and municipal authorities instead punish the brokers who sold the properties

After the drive, authorities announced they will “canch” (officially seal) the entire 300-acre tract to prevent any future encroachments. According to HYDRAA, out of the total area, some 200 acres remain un-encroached for now, but even they will be closely watched and protected. The immediate focus, however, was on removing the existing illegal buildings and marking the land as government property. In a press briefing after the operation, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath emphasized that the agency’s mission is to protect public assets, regardless of who illegally occupies them. He acknowledged that “political leaders and senior officials” were among those who had grabbed the land, but he stressed that the agency would not disturb legitimate housing for the poor on such sites

“We will remove function halls, warehouses and other commercial constructions built by encroachers on government land,” Ranganath said, “but homes built by the poor – especially those on lakes or government property will not be demolished

He noted that about 40 acres of the encroached area consisted of small dwellings occupied by low-income families, and those were being left alone. Ranganath reiterated that HYDRAA’s priority is recovering government land. “We intend to reclaim over 275 acres of land worth more than ₹13,000 crore from encroachers,” he said, highlighting that the agency would continue to act firmly. (HYDRAA officials clarified that this refers roughly to the total 300 acres under protection; the quoted figures reflect the value of land yet to be fully recovered

HYDRAA itself was created in July 2024 by reorganizing the state’s old Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management department, with the specific goal of tackling illegal encroachments on lakes, parks and other public land in Greater Hyderabad

Since its inception, the agency under Commissioner Ranganath has taken down hundreds of unauthorized structures across the city. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has repeatedly praised HYDRAA’s work: in the past year the agency claimed to have protected government land worth over ₹30,000 crore and freed dozens of water bodies from encroachments

Sunday’s sweep at Gajularamaram underscores the state’s aggressive stance on land encroachment. Observers note that while such drives help secure valuable public assets, they also create challenges, as many innocent residents may be displaced. For now, HYDRAA insists on a zero-tolerance approach against all illegal occupations, even as officials say they will avoid harming truly needy families. The agency has pledged to monitor the area closely and ensure that once recovered, the land remains protected for public use.