A large number of students gathered at the university’s main gate, demanding that the government immediately stop the planned land auction. They also called for the removal of JCB excavators and other machinery from the site.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ordered a temporary stop to excavation work on 400 acres of land near Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in Kancha Gachibowli village. The court took this step after petitions were filed, raising concerns about large-scale tree cutting and damage to the environment.
A division bench, including Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara, has postponed the case hearing to Thursday. Until then, all land-clearing activities must remain halted.
Environmental activists and concerned citizens have opposed the Telangana government’s decision to develop this land. The issue is linked to Government Order (GO) 54, which was passed on June 26, 2024. This order allows the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TGIIC) to use the land for industrial purposes.
The petitioners include Vata Foundation ENPO, an environmental organization represented by its founding trustee Uday Krishna Peddireddy, and retired scientist Kalapala Babu Rao. They argue that the land should be protected because it is home to many plants and animals, some of which are endangered.
Senior advocates S. Niranjan Reddy and L. Ravichandra, who are representing the petitioners, told the court that the land is actually a reserved forest.
They claimed that “forest land should be identified by its ecological characteristics rather than government records.”
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The lawyers further pointed out that this area includes two lakes, special rock formations like ‘Mushroom Rock,’ and various animal species such as spotted deer, wild boars, star tortoises, and Indian rock pythons.
The petitioners also accused the government of ignoring environmental laws. They alleged that officials bypassed environmental regulations by not forming an expert committee before allowing deforestation. They also stated that 30–40 JCB excavators were used for tree cutting and land clearing.
They warned that if this destruction continues, Hyderabad’s financial district could face serious ecological problems. As a solution, they have asked the court to declare this land a national park and provide it with legal protection.
Telangana’s Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy defended the government’s stance. He said that this land is not classified as a forest and has been reserved for industrial development. He also explained that historically, during the Nizam era, this land was called ‘Kancha land’ and was given to IMG Bharatha in 2003 for development purposes.
He dismissed the claims that this land qualifies as a reserved forest. He also pointed out that “high-rise buildings are already present in nearby areas.”
Due to time limitations, the High Court has rescheduled the hearing for Thursday at 2:15 PM. Until then, all excavation work must remain stopped.
Students of Hyderabad Central University (HCU) have started strong protests against the government’s plan to develop the land. The demonstrations are being led by the University of Hyderabad Students’ Union (UoHSU).
The students have staged class boycotts, sit-ins, and large-scale protests to show their opposition. They say the land clearing will harm the environment and damage the integrity of the university.
A large number of students gathered at the university’s main gate, demanding that the government immediately stop the planned land auction. They also called for the removal of JCB excavators and other machinery from the site.
Amid the protests, leaders from political organizations such as Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and Left parties tried to enter the campus. However, the police stopped them and detained several students.
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