Hyderabad, April 01: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) conducted a significant demolition drive in Shastrapuram colony located in Mailaraevapalli, Rajendranagar mandal of Ranga Reddy District on Wednesday. The operation targeted illegal constructions that had encroached upon land designated for a public playground in the HUDA-approved layout spanning 188 acres. Officials demolished five under-construction buildings at the G+3 level along with two small single-room structures, successfully reclaiming the sports ground for local residents.
According to the approved layout plan for the colony, which comprises over 1,800 plots, an area of approximately 6,500 square yards has been earmarked as a playground for community use. Despite clear documentation marking this land for sports activities, local encroachers had been illegally selling plots through notarised documents over the past three years and carrying out unauthorized construction work. The encroachers operated without obtaining any legal permissions from civic authorities, brazenly violating the approved layout plan.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had previously issued notices to the illegal occupants and in 2024 had passed speaking orders clearly stating that demolitions would be executed if construction activities did not cease. However, the warnings went unheeded and construction work continued on the playground land. Local residents, who had attempted to stop the encroachments on their own, reported facing intimidation from those involved in the illegal activities, prompting them to seek intervention from higher authorities.
Following a formal complaint filed by residents of Shastrapuram colony with HYDRA, officials from the agency conducted a thorough ground inspection along with representatives from GHMC and revenue departments. The joint inspection confirmed that the plots under illegal construction were indeed reserved for the playground as per the sanctioned layout plan. HYDRA immediately issued warnings against any further construction activity on the encroached land and prepared for enforcement action.
On Wednesday morning, HYDRA launched the demolition operation, removing all illegal encroachments from the playground area. The agency demolished the five buildings that were under construction and the two small structures that had been erected illegally. Two other buildings on the site were spared from demolition as they were already occupied by residents. Through this decisive action, HYDRA has reportedly saved property worth approximately ₹100 crore from falling into the hands of land grabbers and restored the public amenity to the community.
Residents of Shastrapuram colony expressed relief and satisfaction following the successful operation. Local community members stated that they were grateful to HYDRA for responding promptly to their complaint and taking immediate action where previous attempts by civic bodies had failed to stop the illegal construction. They noted that earlier efforts to resist the encroachments had resulted in threats and intimidation, but the intervention by HYDRA enabled them to successfully reclaim their designated sports ground for community use.
