Cyberabad Police have filed a case against Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Kotha Prabhakar Reddy for allegedly encroaching Durgam Cheruvu in Madhapur’s Information Technology hub. The complaint, lodged by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), led to the registration of the case by Madhapur Police. The case involves violations of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
In 2014, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) issued a Full Tank Level (FTL) primary notification regarding Durgam Cheruvu. Despite this, Kotha Prabhakar Reddy and Venkat Reddy allegedly encroached upon approximately 5 acres of the lake by filling it with soil and stones. The encroached land was reportedly being used for STS private transport parking, resulting in illegal financial gains. HYDRAA’s complaint highlighted that the encroachment had been ongoing since 2014.
A recent operation by HYDRAA aimed at clearing encroachments at Durgam Cheruvu led to the removal of around five acres of encroached lake area near Inorbit Mall, Madhapur. This area, previously filled with soil and utilized as a parking space for school buses and IT company vehicles, was reportedly generating an illicit income of Rs 50 lakh monthly for the encroachers. HYDRAA officials took action by clearing the vehicles, installing fencing along the lake boundary, and initiating steps to clear the dumped soil.
HYDRA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath promptly responded to a complaint received during the Prajavani program, instructing immediate action. Officials noted that Durgam Cheruvu, originally spanning 160 acres, has shrunk to 116 acres due to systematic encroachments and dumping activities. Illegal filling with soil to depths of 10-15 meters has led to the gradual occupation of the lake area, impeding the proposed walking track around the lake.
