HYDRAA commissioner A. V. Ranganath examined the complaint and ordered a field-level enquiry. A joint inspection was conducted by HYDRAA along with GHMC and revenue officials, who confirmed that the park land was being illegally occupied.
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA on Friday reclaimed 3,300 square yards of land in Gopalnagar, Kukatpally, in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, the agency said in a press note.
According to officials, the Gopalnagar layout was developed in 1980 across Survey No.s 148 to 155, covering 92.21 acres. The layout consists of over 1,200 residential plots. At the time of approval, land was earmarked at three locations for public parks.
Over the years, two of these park sites were almost encroached upon. When residents noticed fresh encroachments at the third park, representatives of the Gopalnagar Residents Welfare Association (RWA) submitted a complaint to HYDRAA seeking immediate intervention.
HYDRAA commissioner A. V. Ranganath examined the complaint and ordered a field-level enquiry. A joint inspection was conducted by HYDRAA along with GHMC and revenue officials, who confirmed that the park land was being illegally occupied.
On Friday, officials removed a shed that had been erected inside the park area. The agency also installed fencing around the entire park to prevent further encroachments, and boards were put up clearly stating that the land belongs to a public park.
“We have been requesting the authorities for years to protect our parks, but nothing happened. Two parks were already lost. In such a large layout, we are struggling without green spaces. HYDRAA acted immediately after our complaint and saved this park,” an RWA representative said.
