Archive · 18 Aug 2026
HYDRAA Assures Vanasthalipuram Residents of Public Land Protection
In a neighborhood called Vanasthalipuram, some people wanted to build on land that was supposed to be for everyone to use.
The land was set aside for public purposes when the neighborhood was planned in 1987.
Residents said someone started building a big building there without proper permission.
They complained to a special agency called HYDRAA, which protects public land and water bodies.
The head of HYDRAA, Mr. A. V. Ranganath, came to look at the land.
He promised to help the residents protect it.
He said the problem would be brought to a court, and the agency would guard the land if the court allowed it.
The residents said they have been trying to save the land for almost two years.
They also said people who spoke up were threatened.
HYDRAA will check the land records and building permits and take action if rules were broken.
HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath inspected Vanasthalipuram's Officers Colony after residents complained about alleged illegal construction on public utility land.
Ranganath said the land dispute would be brought to the court's notice and that HYDRAA would protect the site with the court's permission.
Residents said they had been fighting for nearly two years to protect the land and alleged that opponents of the encroachment had been threatened.
Plots 39 and 40, measuring around 400 square yards, were earmarked for public use in the 1987 colony layout and placed under a cooperative society reportedly inactive for nearly 45 years.
Residents alleged the plots were sold to private individuals in 2023 and that construction approved for a ground-plus-one-floor structure was extended to four floors.
- Who
- HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath and residents of Vanasthalipuram's Officers Colony
- What
- HYDRAA assured residents it would help protect public utility land allegedly being encroached by illegal construction, and said the dispute would be brought to court.
- When
- Date not specified in the article; residents said they have been fighting for nearly two years.
- Where
- Officers Colony, Vanasthalipuram
- Why
- To protect public utility land earmarked for public use that residents allege was sold to private individuals and illegally built upon.
- Agency
- HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency)
- Commissioner
- A. V. Ranganath
- Location
- Officers Colony, Vanasthalipuram
- Disputed plots
- Plots 39 and 40
- Plot area
- Around 400 square yards
- Colony layout year
- 1987
- Residents' campaign
- Nearly two years
- Alleged sale of plots
- 2023