HYDRAA protects 200 Acres of Govt Land in Khajaguda-Puppalaguda
The operation was undertaken in the Puppalaguda-Khajaguda border area of Gandipet mandal in Rangareddy district
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) carried out a major operation in Khajaguda and Puppalaguda, securing nearly 200 acres of government land and protecting ancient rock formations believed to be around 2.5 billion years old.
The operation was undertaken in the Puppalaguda-Khajaguda border area of Gandipet mandal in Rangareddy district. Officials erected fencing around the land following directions from the Telangana High Court and complaints regarding possible encroachments on government property and the historic rock formations.
According to officials, the protected land is estimated to be worth nearly `30,000 crore. Authorities and members of the ‘Society to Save Rocks’ environmental group said that the area contains unique granite rock formations, natural caves and green cover, making it one of the most environmentally significant locations in Hyderabad’s outskirts.
‘Society to Save Rocks’ had previously approached the High Court seeking protection for the ancient rock formations, and according to HYDRAA officials, the High Court in 2019 directed the revenue and municipal administration departments to identify boundaries and provide protection to the land, but delays in fencing reportedly left the area vulnerable to encroachments.
Following complaints received during HYDRAA’s public grievance programme, HYDRAA commissioner A. V. Ranganath and officials from various departments conducted field inspections and verified the government ownership of the land before initiating the fencing work.
Revenue records show that Survey No 452/1 and 454/1 together contain more than 293 acres of government land. After resolving boundary overlaps and accounting for lands allotted to religious institutions, nearly 200 acres remained under the control of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). HYDRAA has fenced up the land and secured it.
HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath said, “Save the Rocks Society has been demanding the protection of Khajaguda rocks for the last 36 years. On World Environment Day, HYDRAA has taken up this task of securing the almost 200 acres of land by erecting a fence all along its perimeter. This will prevent any future encroachment, blasting and or damage to the heritage rocks.
