HYDERABAD: Nearly five months after the announcement of the Bharat Future City Development Authority (BFCDA), the Telangana government is facing legal challenges before advancing with this ambitious project.
The primary obstacle is removing the Green Hyderabad Pharma City designation from approximately 20,000 acres in specific villages, which was originally acquired by the former BRS government for the Pharma City project but is now designated for the Future City. Legal clearance is essential before repurposing these lands for educational hubs, healthcare facilities, sports infrastructure, or other proposed developments, sources indicate.
The BFCDA, established in March, covers 765 square kilometers, spanning 1.80 lakh acres across 56 villages, including Kandukur, Amangal, Kadthal, Manchal, Maheshwaram, Yacharam, and Ibrahimpatnam. Of this area, about 20,000 acres were acquired—mainly in Kandukur, Yacharam, and Kadthal—for the Hyderabad Pharma City project, with some parcels already allocated to pharmaceutical companies.
A Multi-Sector Hub Vision
The Congress government envisions the Future City as a multi-sector hub, incorporating zones for education and universities, an AI city, a health city, electronics, advanced manufacturing, sports complexes, residential townships, and entertainment. Land has already been earmarked for the Young India Skill University and a sports hub.
“The land was originally acquired for Pharma City, and the government informed the Telangana High Court that it would solely be used for green pharma purposes. If this land is redirected for other uses, the government must inform the court due to pending cases regarding the acquisition. Some farmers have started to request the return of their lands if Pharma City does not materialize,” stated a senior official from the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.
To address the situation, the industries department is examining whether similar land acquisitions in other regions of the country have been legally repurposed and is consulting legal and industry experts.