HYDERABAD: In recent years, numerous voters from the affluent yet sparsely populated area of Jubilee Hills have changed their registration to other assembly segments such as Khairatabad and Sherlingapally. The rapid commercialization of the vicinity between 2000 and 2014 led many residents to sell their homes and land, originally purchased at very low prices—sometimes as little as Rs 200 per acre—and relocate to quieter neighborhoods.
Interestingly, a large portion of the affluent enclave is actually part of the Khairatabad constituency rather than Jubilee Hills.
Once a beacon of aspiration, Jubilee Hills has long been recognized as one of Asia’s most desirable residential and commercial districts, nestled between Banjara Hills and the tech hub of Hi-Tech City. It attracts film stars, politicians, business leaders, and high-ranking bureaucrats, establishing itself as a prestigious address in South India.
The area’s early development is largely credited to IAS officer Challagalla Narasimham, founder of the Jubilee Hills Cooperative House Building Society, who settled there with his family in the 1960s. At that time, the landscape was marked by rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation.
“Our father bought the land from the housing society for just a few hundred rupees. Initially, it was a serene area populated by government employees, somewhat isolated from the rest of the city. Those who could afford vehicles began constructing homes, but the situation changed as commercial building surged after 2000,” said Damodar Prasad, a longtime resident since the 1960s.
The transformation intensified between 2004 and 2014, with the emergence of shopping malls and business hubs turning the once-quiet neighborhood into a bustling commercial zone. This shift urged many homeowners to sell their properties and seek residences in nearby constituencies.
However, beneath its glitzy facade, Jubilee Hills grapples with challenges that often remain unnoticed. The area faces land scams, misuse of power, and ingrained corruption. Encroachments threaten green spaces, while uncontrolled commercial interests continue to challenge the community’s resilience, reminding residents that even the city’s most desired addresses are not without their issues.
