HYDRAA encroachment crackdown clears illegal buildings from Shastripuram playground land
Hyderabad: The HYDRAA encroachment crackdown removed seven illegal structures from playground land in Shastripuram Colony on Wednesday and protected government property valued at ₹100 crore, officials said.
The demolition took place in Mailardevpally village in Rajendranagar mandal of Rangareddy district. HYDRAA cleared five under-construction buildings and two single-room structures from land earmarked for a sports ground in a 188-acre HUDA-approved layout.
Officials said the layout contained more than 1,800 plots. Under the approved plan, 6,500 square yards had been reserved for the playground. However, encroachers had been selling plots on notary documents for the past three years despite the land being marked for public use.
The construction had continued without permission. GHMC had issued notices earlier. It had also passed speaking orders in 2024 stating that the site would be demolished. Even then, work continued, officials said. Later, local residents complained to HYDRAA about the ongoing construction.
HYDRAA encroachment crackdown followed field inspection
HYDRAA officials then inspected the site along with GHMC and revenue officials. During the field visit, they confirmed that the disputed land had been allocated for a sports ground in the sanctioned layout.
After the inspection, HYDRAA warned against further construction. It then launched the HYDRAA encroachment crackdown on Wednesday morning and removed the illegal structures from the playground site.
Officials demolished five under-construction multi-storey structures, including buildings rising on a G-plus-three pattern. In addition, they removed two small room structures built on the same land. However, two other buildings were left out because they already had residents living in them.
The action restored access to the playground land for the colony, residents said. They said the sports ground had been under threat because of the illegal occupation and construction. They also said some people had intimidated those who tried to oppose the encroachments earlier.
Residents welcome HYDRAA encroachment crackdown in colony
Residents of Shastripuram Colony said they felt relieved after the demolition. They said the playground had finally become available again after years of encroachment attempts. They also welcomed the speed of the action after their complaint reached HYDRAA.
According to residents, the intervention prevented the permanent loss of the sports ground. They said the land was saved only after HYDRAA stepped in and enforced the approved layout. As a result, a public utility space meant for the colony remained protected from further illegal construction.