Verdant expanse of Kancha Gachibowli. File
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Telangana government said that it was the sole owner of 400 Acres of Land in Kancha Gachibowli VillageSerlingampally Mandal, on whose ownership a group of students from the University of Hyderabad are agitating.
Officials said the 400 acres of land were allotted to a private entity by the then government of Andhra Pradesh in 2004. But the present Congress government has fought against the private entity in the Supreme Court and reclaimed the land.
The University of Hyderabad does not own even an inch of land in this survey and any contention regarding land ownership is contempt of court, as per official statement. Moreover, as is being alleged, the development plans of the government in this land do not include any lake. The rocks formation would not be disturbed by the new development plan either, it added.
The government, in a statement here, said that the opposition to the project was purely political and that the students were being misled by those opposing the government with interests in real estate.
Land allotted to private company in 2004
Explaining the legal aspects, it was stated in the statement said that the then AP Government allotted 400 acres to IMG Academies Bharata Pvt Ltd on January 13, 2004, in Survey Number 25 of Kancha Gachibowli Village for the development of sports facilities.
Allotment revoked; challenged in Court
As the project of the IMG Academies Bharata Pvt Ltd did not take off, the then Government of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) revoked the allotment on November 21, 2006, which was challenged in the A.P. High Court. The new government pursued the matter vigorously, and the High Court passed orders in favour of the government on March 7, 2024.
Govt secures the land
Aggrieved by the order, IMG Academies Bharata Pvt Ltd filed an SLP before the Supreme Court of India. The government again contested the matter, and the SLP was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India on May 3, 2024. Thus, the government was able to secure the land.
The ownership of the land was also confirmed by the Deputy Collector and Tahsildar, Serilingampally Mandal who confirmed that as per Revenue records the land in Survey Number 25 of Kancha Gachibowli Village was recorded as “Kancha Asthabal Poramboke Sarkari”, which is government land and an extent of 400 acres was free from encroachments and under the possession of government for further development.
Land handed over to TGIIC in July, 2024
On the legal acquisition of land, the government said that the I&C Department recommended alienation proposals under the new land allotment policy on September 14, 2022. Accordingly, on June 19, 2024, the government requested to handover advance possession to the TGIIC for setting up an Information Technology (IT) and mixed-use project. The land was handed over to TGIIC on July 1, 2024, duly conducting the panchanama.
Survey in July, 2024, in presence of officials
The revenue records clearly show that it is not forest land, unlike the false claims made in certain sections. Moreover, with the consent of the Registrar, University of Hyderbad (UoH) survey work was conducted on July 19, 2024, in the presence of university officials, and the boundaries were fixed.
Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake not part of 400-acres
The government further said that Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake are not part of the 400-acre land parcel being developed by TGIIC. At the same time, TGIIC has prepared a layout duly preserving rock formations, including Mushroom rock, as green spaces within the layout.
University of Hyderabad students staging protest at Mushroom rock opposing the proposed auction of 400 acres of land at Kancha Gachibowli which once belonged to the university. File
| Photo Credit:
BY ARRANGEMENT
The government said in the statement that the project aligns with its priority to develop world-class IT infrastructure, improve connectivity, and create sustainable urban spaces.
Published – March 31, 2025 02:51 PM is
