Realtors using slum dwellers as shields to encroach on Muskin Cheruvu.
A detailed group of people gathered outdoors, listening to a speaker in a dusty area with scattered debris.
Hyderabad: Seventeen days after asking residents of temporary sheds within the Full Tank Level (FTL) area of Muskin Cheruvu in Narsingi to vacate, officials from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) issued a fresh warning, stating that the structures could be demolished at any time.
Officials from HYDRAA, Revenue, and Irrigation departments visited the site on Saturday evening, May 17, timing the visit to catch residents who had returned from work, and told those still occupying the sheds to leave immediately. “We may come within a day or two and remove them at any time,” they said.
Only 10 percent of residents had vacated since the original April 29 deadline, officials said, despite a 10-day window that was subsequently extended by another week.
Realtors using residents as human shields, say officials
HYDRAA officials told residents that they were being used as cover by realtors seeking to encroach on the lake’s FTL area. “Realtors are trying to occupy lands within the lake’s FTL area by keeping you in temporary sheds. By dumping construction debris and soil, they have altered the lake’s original form,” officials said, adding that garbage was being dumped and waste released into the lake, and that trash was being burned, polluting it.
Officials said the encroachers had been informed six months ago to vacate but had not passed this information on to the residents living in the sheds. “Since they are not conveying this information to you, we are telling you directly,” they said.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority has determined that Muskin Lake’s FTL area spans 52.20 acres, extending to 62 acres including the buffer zone. The lake is the only one located amid thousands of residences in the area and is frequented by hundreds of thousands of people.
Of the FTL area, a private company – Pioneer Company – claims ownership of around 18 acres, while 12 acres belong to farmers and another 4.20 acres are claimed by various individuals, bringing the total privately claimed area to 34.20 acres. The remaining 21 acres are classified as government shikam land.
Officials said continuous dumping of construction debris, soil, and garbage had caused the lake to shrink considerably.
Revenue officials had earlier demolished a boundary wall constructed within the buffer zone. Despite this, a major construction company has been filling the lake with soil and preparing to undertake construction within the FTL area, officials said. Canals carrying floodwater have also been blocked and boundary walls raised to prevent water inflow, local residents pointed out.
Officials noted that regulations permit only agriculture on shikam patta lands within the FTL area and prohibit any construction or alteration of land use. While compensation through Transferable Development Rights (TDR) was a possible route for landowners within the FTL area, neither farmers nor realtors had pursued it. “You alone will suffer unnecessary losses, so you should vacate,” officials told residents.
HYDRAA said that if the lake is fully developed, it would improve the surrounding environment and raise groundwater levels in the area.
Muskin Cheruvu
Muskin Cheruvu is a historic water reservoir located in the Warangal district of Telangana, India, believed to have been constructed during the Kakatiya dynasty’s rule in the 13th century. Named after a local Muslim saint or official, the tank served as a vital irrigation and drinking water source for the region, showcasing the dynasty’s advanced engineering in water management. Today, it remains a notable heritage site, reflecting the area’s rich cultural and architectural history.
Narsingi
Narsingi is a rapidly developing suburb in the southwestern part of Hyderabad,
Muskin Cheruvu
Muskin Cheruvu is a historic reservoir located in the Warangal district of Telangana, India, believed to have been built during the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. It served as a vital water source for irrigation and local communities, showcasing the advanced engineering skills of the era. Today, the site stands as a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage and continues to be a picturesque spot for visitors.
Narsingi
Narsingi is a rapidly developing suburb located in the southwestern part of Hyderabad, India, historically known as a village with deep roots in the region’s agricultural past. Its name is derived from a local temple dedicated to Lord Narsimha (an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu), which has been a significant cultural landmark for centuries. Today, Narsingi has transformed into a major residential and commercial hub, reflecting Hyderabad’s urban expansion along the Outer Ring Road.
Full Tank Level (FTL) area
The Full Tank Level (FTL) area refers to the maximum water storage capacity level of a reservoir or dam, often used in the context of water management and flood control. Historically, it marks the highest safe water elevation a dam can hold before risking structural failure or overflow, a concept critical in engineering projects like India’s Hirakud Dam or the Hoover Dam. The term is also culturally significant in regions where reservoir levels directly impact agriculture, displacement, and disaster preparedness.
Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA)
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is a specialized task force established by the Government of Telangana in 2024 to address urban flooding, encroachments, and disaster management in Hyderabad. It was created in response to devastating floods in 2020 and 2021, which highlighted the need for a dedicated agency to protect critical water bodies, lakes, and public assets from illegal construction and environmental degradation. HYDRAA operates with enforcement powers to clear encroachments and coordinate rapid response during natural disasters, aiming to restore the city’s ecological balance and resilience.
Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is the urban planning and development agency responsible for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region in Telangana, India. Formed in 2008 by merging the earlier Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) with other local bodies, it oversees sustainable growth, infrastructure projects, and regulatory compliance across a vast area. HMDA plays a key role in shaping the city’s expansion, managing resources, and preserving heritage sites within its jurisdiction.
Pioneer Company
The Pioneer Company was a historic Mormon pioneer organization that facilitated the migration of early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Led by Brigham Young, this vanguard company of 148 people traveled over 1,000 miles from Winter Quarters, Nebraska, to establish a new settlement in the Great Basin. Their journey and eventual arrival on July 24, 1847, marked a pivotal moment in the westward expansion of the United States and the founding of modern-day Utah.
Kakatiya dynasty
The Kakatiya dynasty was a prominent South Indian ruling dynasty that flourished from the 12th to the 14th centuries, with its capital at Orugallu (modern-day Warangal, Telangana). They are renowned for their architectural achievements, particularly the Thousand Pillar Temple and the iconic Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (a decorative arch), which reflect a unique blend of Chalukya and early Dravidian styles. The dynasty reached its zenith under rulers like Ganapati Deva and Rudrama Devi, but declined after invasions by the Delhi Sultanate in the early 14th century.
Warangal district
Warangal district, located in the Indian state of Telangana, is historically significant as the former capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The region is renowned for its architectural marvels, including the iconic Warangal Fort and the Thousand Pillar Temple, which showcase intricate stone carvings and engineering. Today, the district blends its rich medieval heritage with modern development, serving as a cultural and educational hub in the state.
