HYDRAA Faces 700 Legal Cases After Reclaiming 1,000 Acres of Public Land

Hyderabad — The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) finds itself at the center of an unprecedented legal storm, facing nearly 700 cases from alleged encroachers after successfully reclaiming over 1,000 acres of public properties and water bodies valued at ₹55,000 crore.
The Reclamation Drive
In just 15 months since its inception, HYDRAA has emerged as a formidable force in protecting Hyderabad’s public assets. The agency has reclaimed:
    •    532 acres of government land
    •    223 acres of roads
    •    235 acres of lakes
    •    42 acres of parks
The drive has targeted encroachments across the city, including high-profile demolitions in areas like Pocharam municipality and a convention center in Gachibowli that allegedly encroached on 20 acres of government land.
The Legal Pushback
The agency’s aggressive anti-encroachment operations have triggered a wave of litigation. HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath alone faces 81 contempt petitions, with officials from the Telangana high court and Supreme Court reportedly paying Delhi-based lawyers as much as ₹5 lakh per hour for court appearances.
Many petitioners have accused HYDRAA of overstepping court orders and ignoring judicial directions, alleging the agency demolished water bodies and structures without proper legal process. Some critics claim the agency has gone beyond its mandate, engaging in what they describe as “blackmail.”
HYDRAA’s Defense
To counter the flood of cases, HYDRAA has established a dedicated legal cell staffed with nine advocates to represent the agency in Telangana high court and Supreme Court proceedings.
“We operate strictly within the legal framework and follow the government’s directive to protect Hyderabad’s natural and public assets,” said an official familiar with the agency’s operations. “We act only against those who encroach on public or environmental assets for personal gain.”
The agency maintains that adding properties occupied before July 2024 to the no-resolution list will be rejected in cases where demolition becomes unavoidable. Officials assert that the agency has been assured all such cases will be referred to the government for compensation or rehabilitation.
High-Profile Cases
In one notable case, contempt petitions were filed against Ranganath over the demolition of a four-meter-long illegal compound wall built around 200 acres at a layout in Pocharam municipality. Three contempt cases were also lodged following the demolition of a convention center in Gachibowli, which allegedly encroached on 20 acres of government land.
Despite the legal onslaught, officials maintain unwavering faith in the judiciary, expressing confidence that these cases are part of enforcing the law and upholding proper governance—from the district level to the judiciary.
As Hyderabad grapples with rapid urbanization, the battle between HYDRAA and alleged encroachers has become a litmus test for the city’s commitment to protecting its dwindling public spaces and water bodies.