HYDERABAD: The controversy over 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, located adjacent to the Hyderabad Central University (HCU), has escalated, with Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleging that the area constitutes forest land. He criticised the Telangana government’s decision to auction the land, claiming that such actions defy Supreme Court rulings, which prohibit deforestation without clearance from the Centre.
Sanjay pointed out that the issue is currently sub judice, citing an ongoing case in the High Court. The case, filed by the Vat Foundation, has led the court to instruct the state government to submit a counter-affidavit by April 7. Despite this, he alleged that the government has already begun clearing the land, cutting down trees and vegetation, which he described as an act of contempt of court and a serious environmental violation.
He condemned what he described as the government’s unethical pursuit of revenue through deforestation and land sales. Sanjay further questioned whether Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had forgotten his earlier opposition to similar land sales during the previous BRS administration. He called the move the height of political opportunism and demanded an immediate halt to the auction process, warning that public outrage would follow if the government continued.
In response, the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) stated that the 400-acre tract in Kancha Gachibowli is legally recognised as government land and not part of HCU’s property. The Corporation asserted that land ownership had been affirmed through legal proceedings and clarified that there are no lakes within the area earmarked for development. TGIIC also reassured that the region’s characteristic mushroom rock formations would be preserved and reiterated the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
However, despite these official assurances, student protests have erupted in opposition to the land clearing. On Sunday, Cyberabad police detained several HCU students who were demonstrating against the removal of vegetation and alleged forest land conversion. Reports also indicated that the number of excavators at the site was ramped up to 40 overnight to hasten the clearing work, intensifying public concern over the environmental and legal implications of the project.
