HYDRA has successfully reclaimed 34 acres of land across two major water bodies in a decisive crackdown on encroachments in Hyderabad’s IT corridor. The operation conducted on Tuesday protected Edulakunta tank in Madhapur and the new lake in Kokapet, with the total land value estimated at approximately Rs 4,000 crores. The agency acted on complaints from local residents who witnessed systematic attempts to erase these vital water bodies from existence.
In Khanamet village, Sherilingampally mandal, Ranga Reddy district, HYDRA freed 6.05 acres of Edulakunta tank from illegal occupation. Encroachers had diverted the flood canal connecting Tammidikunta and Edulakunta, preventing water flow and altering the tank’s contours. The boundaries were systematically erased, and construction activities were on the verge of beginning when locals approached HYDRA for intervention. The complaint highlighted that Edulakunta was part of an interconnected system including Tammidikunta and Sunnam Cheruvu.
Following field-level investigations, HYDRA confirmed the existence of the tank through village and revenue records. Satellite images from the National Remote Sensing Centre corroborated the findings, establishing the presence of the 6.05-acre water body. A case has also been registered at the National Green Tribunal regarding the encroachment. On Tuesday, HYDRA teams demarcated the tank boundaries and installed protective fencing around the entire area.
In addition to the tank itself, HYDRA also protected 5.16 acres of government land in adjacent Survey No. 11/37. The location on the border of two mandals created confusion that encroachers exploited. NVN Constructions company allegedly obtained permissions in 2022 for a 14-story building by showing land in survey numbers falling under Kukatpally mandal limits, but construction activities were being carried out in the lake area. Cellar excavation work was already underway when HYDRA intervened.
HYDRA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath personally conducted field-level inspections, consulting with revenue, irrigation, and municipal officials. The operation in Madhapur alone protected a total of 11.21 acres of land valued at approximately Rs 1,800 crores. The agency erected fencing and demarcated clear boundaries to prevent future encroachment attempts in the area.
In a parallel operation at Kokapet near IT SEZs, HYDRA removed encroachments on the new lake with an FTL limit of 72 acres. Realtors had constructed bunds through the middle of the lake and encroached on more than 20 acres in the upper area. Some erected fencing while others posted watchmen to secure the illegally occupied land. The bund built across the lake served as a foundation for further encroachment activities.
The developer of Gold Fish Villas was also found participating in the encroachments, using the lake’s FTL limit as open area for the residential project. Soil was filled into the lake to construct basketball and volleyball courts, and a children’s play area was set up within the lake limits. HYDRA removed constructions on 1.09 acres and cleared encroachments exceeding 20 acres in the upper section. Protective fencing was installed to prevent future violations.
The Kokapet operation protected land worth approximately Rs 2,200 crores. Combined with the Madhapur action, HYDRA safeguarded a total of 33.3 acres of lake and government land in a single day. The agency has demarcated boundaries and erected fencing at both locations to ensure the protected areas remain free from encroachment attempts.
