Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has cleared encroachments on 2,700 square yards of govt land earmarked for public use within the Secretariat Employees’ Colony at Neknampur in Rangareddy district on Thursday. The land, valued at approximately 54 crore, was fenced to prevent further illegal occupation.The site forms part of 59.14 acre in Neknampur village, which was allotted to secretariat employees by the state govt in 2002.
A layout was officially approved in 2007, after which plots were distributed and houses were constructed under what is known as Dr YSR Enclave Secretariat Employees’ Colony. As per the sanctioned layout, 2,700 square yards were reserved for a park and other public amenities for residents.However, officials found that portions of the land meant for community use were allegedly converted into plots. Construction activity began after permission was reportedly obtained by showing a different plot in the adjacent Venkateswara Colony. Foundations and pillars were already laid at the site. “Following a complaint by the colony’s residents welfare association, HYDRAA, along with municipal and revenue authorities, conducted a joint inspection. The encroachments were confirmed and subsequently removed,” said HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath said.Temporary sheds on five other plots carved out of the same public use land were also demolished. Authorities fenced the entire extent and installed boards marking it as “public space”.
