The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency, a brainchild of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy tasked with the responsibility of clearing encroachments and illegal constructions, is back in action to carry out a massive demolition drive at Gajularamaram, a suburb in the city outskirts of Hyderabad.

On Sunday morning, HYDRAA started clearing illegal constructions on government land spread over 100 acres land worth nearly 4500 Crores. Acting on complaints received from the public, HYDRAA swung into action and noticed that hundreds of houses measuring 60 to 70 square yards, each sold for about 10 Lakhs, were being built on the encroached land without valid documents and permissions. Out of the 300 acres, HYDRAA officials identified that 100 acres has been illegally occupied in the survey number 397.

Reports suggest that the land was originally handed over to the State Finance Corporation, TSIIC, HMDA and Housing Board Departments, but not yet been utilised for the said purpose. The delay in taking up projects by those departments has resulted in large scale encroachments by real estate land grabbers and permanent structures valued at 50-60 lakhs were already constructed. During the demolition activity, locals turned out in huge numbers and protested to take stern action against those who sold it to them.

HYDRAA now plans to fence the entire 300 acres to secure it without any further encroachment. Gajularamaram has seen a rapid growth of urbanisation in recent times as it is situated in the vicinity of IT corridor of Hyderabad. HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath alleged that many politicians and government officials are also involved in illegal encroachments of government lands in this area. He clarified that HYDRAA is not demolishing the living area of poor people but only removing commercial sheds and compound walls.