Hyderabad Authorities Reclaim Land Worth ₹2,200 Crore
The Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HYDRAA) cleared illegal encroachments around Mondikunta lake, reclaiming land valued at ₹2,200 crore. The operation was conducted to protect the lake and its surrounding environment from illegal occupation and development.
- The reclaimed land, totaling nearly 11 acres, is located near the HITEC City, a major IT hub in Hyderabad. The operation was carried out in the Khanamet area of Serilingampally, near the Hitex exhibition centre. - The action was prompted by complaints from local residents through the Prajavani grievance program, who raised concerns about systematic encroachment on the lake and adjoining government land. Officials determined that portions of the lake in Survey No. 53 and government land in Survey No. 55 were illegally occupied. - The encroachments included approximately 200 temporary sheds and over 30 commercial shops, such as mechanic workshops, iron and steel shops, and meat stores. These businesses were allegedly generating crores in rent each month. - Authorities used satellite imagery from the National Remote Sensing Centre to verify the extent of the illegal occupation and changes in land use over time. A meeting was held on January 31 with revenue officials and the encroachers to present this evidence. - This operation is part of a broader push by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), a specialized body formed to protect public assets. To date, the agency reports it has saved government lands worth more than ₹70,000 crore. - The encroachments had extended deep into the lake's Full Tank Level (FTL) zone, which is critical for water storage and flood prevention. An Ardha Nareeswara temple, located adjacent to the lake, was used as a notional boundary to justify the occupation but was exempted from the demolition drive. - Following the clearance, the area has been fenced to prevent future encroachments. Local residents have urged officials to develop parks on the reclaimed land and to restore and beautify Mondikunta lake as a community asset. - The lake had been shrinking for years due to illegal occupation, construction, and the dumping of sewage, with a 2022 report noting it had dwindled to just four acres. Resident activists had been fighting against the encroachments since at least 2015 and had previously filed a case with the Lokayukta in 2013.
