HYDRAA secures hillocks near Ammuguda, reclaims 840 acres of government land across the city
Residents of Gandhi Nagar Basti burst crackers and came out to celebrate as Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) secured the hillocks near
Residents of Gandhi Nagar Basti burst crackers and came out to celebrate as Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) secured the hillocks near Ammuguda which were under occupation by a renowned builder, and started fencing off the area on Saturday (July 18, 2026). This action follows a news story by The Hindu towards the end of May, which reported encroachment of the land and destruction of rock formations which were billions of years old. Society to Save Rocks, the whistle blower which first exposed the destruction of rocks, stuck by its guns and pursued the matter with HYDRAA in the face of severe pressure and legal notices served by the occupant.
The builder in question was armed with an order from the High Court which confirmed private ownership of land in two survey numbers under the limits of Lothukunta village. However, after field level inspection and an inquiry aided by Revenue Department and satellite maps, HYDRAA officials arrived at the conclusion that the survey numbers shown were not of the land on which rocks had been razed. “The builder showed the survey numbers 1 & 2 in Lothkunta village, the Revenue boundaries of which are three kilometres away. He obtained building permission in 2008, which has lapsed now.
We consulted Revenue department and Cantonment Board to procure maps with geo coordinates, and determined the land’s status as GLR (General Land Register) 243 which identifies it as government land allotted to Defence,” HYDRAA chief A.V.Ranganath said, contending that even Lothkunta village does not have survey numbers 1 & 2, which proved that the documents had been manufactured. Further, Mr.Ranganath said the builder indulged in rock blasting without required permissions from the Mining Department, which disturbed the wildlife on the hillocks. HYDRAA has also found another GLR property with the number 255 encroached at the same location and started fencing it, a statement said.
Both the lands together constituted 106 acres at Ammugudua. The agency secured a total 840 acres of government land on Saturday alone — 84 acres in Raidurgam and 650 acres in Bahadurguda village of Shamshabad mandal in Ranga Reddy district.
The BriefWire