Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Sunday launched a large-scale demolition drive in Gajularamaram, targeting illegal constructions on over 100 acres of government land.
Located approximately 10 km from Hyderabad’s IT corridor, Gajularamaram has witnessed extensive encroachment in recent years. According to officials, pucca structures have mushroomed on land originally allotted decades ago to agencies such as the State Finance Corporation, TGIIC, HMDA and the Housing Board. The delay in initiating development by these bodies allowed illegal occupants to seize land and build houses, each measuring 60 to 70 square yards and sold for around ₹10 lakh.
HYDRAA identified that encroachments had taken over land worth an estimated ₹4,500 crore. The agency began demolitions in survey number 397, removing houses constructed without authorization. Officials confirmed that around 100 acres out of 300 acres of government land had been encroached.
HYDRAA targets over 100 acres in Gajularamaram encroachments crackdown
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath stated that about 40 acres had been occupied by economically weaker families. He accused local leaders and officials of colluding to sell these plots under false pretenses. Ranganath clarified that demolitions would spare areas where the poor people had built homes but would target commercial sheds, rooms and compound walls constructed on government land.
గాజులరామారంలో “హైడ్రా” ఆపరేషన్.
— 15 వేల కోట్ల విలువైన భూమికి కంచె వేసే పనిలో హైడ్రా
— కబ్జాల చెర నుంచి 300 ఎకరాలకు పైగా భూమికి విముక్తి
— కబ్జాలు నిర్ధారించుకుని ఆదివారం ఉదయం నుంచి తొలగింపు పనులు.
— నివాసాల జోలికి వెళ్లకుండా ఆక్రమణల తొలగింపు.🔸మేడ్చల్ – మల్కాజిగిరి జిల్లా… pic.twitter.com/7FfpXmuqiV
— HYDRAA (@Comm_HYDRAA) September 21, 2025
Despite prior warnings, the demolitions faced strong resistance. Locals, including children, staged protests by blocking JCBs, claiming they had purchased the plots legally. They demanded action against those who sold them the land.
HYDRAA officials said they had engaged the local community five times in the past six months to resolve the issue. The agency now plans to erect fencing to protect the reclaimed land. Overall, HYDRAA intends to recover over 275 acres of land in the area, with an estimated value of ₹13,000 crore.
