HYDERABAD: Plot owners who bought land in a Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) layout in Medipally, Medchal-Malkajgiri, are voicing their concerns over their plots being added to a prohibitory list and the authority’s failure to provide promised amenities after three years. As these plot owners express their worries, HMDA is preparing to auction more plots in the same area on June 24.
Major issues reported include the inclusion of survey number 62 in the prohibitory list, ongoing legal disputes with land assignees, encroachments affecting the area (including religious structures), and the absence of a proper access road. These concerns remain unresolved by HMDA, the revenue department, and the Medchal-Malkajgiri district administration.
Plot owners claim that poor coordination between HMDA and the revenue department has created significant difficulty for those who invested heavily in these properties. They have appealed to HMDA for timely resolution, particularly for removing their plots from the prohibitory list, which hinders their ability to resell or secure bank loans for construction.
In 2022, HMDA developed a layout with around 434 plots on 56 acres within survey number 62 in Medipally, subsequently auctioning nearly 100 plots during Phases I and II in May 2023. Buyers acquired these plots at prices ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 63,000 per square yard, believing the HMDA layout would include all necessary amenities—such as roads, drainage, and electricity—within 18 months post-auction. Unfortunately, many amenities, especially electricity, are still lacking.
M Padma Reddy, president of the Medipally HMDA Colony Welfare Association, stated, “We trusted the HMDA layout would have a clear title and no issues. Yet, our plots are now included in the prohibitory list and need immediate removal. Even after three years, the construction of an electrical substation hasn’t started. Some assignee farmers have retracted their cases, yet the revenue department has not taken the necessary action for infrastructure development.” The owners are calling for urgent action from authorities to resolve these ongoing issues.
Officials indicated that HMDA developed the layout on survey number 62 and allocated 226 plots to land assignees whose land had been taken over by the revenue department for the development. Some farmers had approached the courts despite earlier consents given to the government. Moreover, officials acknowledged existing encroachments, including religious structures in areas designated for parks and roads.
“Survey number 62 remains on the prohibitory list to prevent the registration of assignee lands to others, as there are additional assignee lands involved. Portions of the land have also been allocated to the Rachakonda police and for freedom fighter memorials. We’ve urged the revenue department to address these issues,” stated a senior HMDA official. The official added that the revenue department, responsible for clearing encroachments and legal matters before handing over land to HMDA, has yet to fulfill its duties. Following HMDA’s requests, the department has begun to take steps toward resolving these complications.
