As student protests against the Telangana government’s proposed auction of 400 acres of land adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus escalated over the weekend, the state government has reaffirmed its claim over the land, maintaining that its plans will not cause ecological harm.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 31, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s office asserted that the land earmarked for development and monetization is government property. “There is no Central University land in the project,” the statement read, adding that the development will proceed while preserving existing rock formations. It further stated, “There are no lakes in the land allotted for development,” and warned that any disputes raised regarding the land could be considered contempt of court.
“The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) has not encroached on the lands of the University of Hyderabad and has not damaged the existing lakes and rock formations. The current project is in line with the government's priorities of world-class IT infrastructure, increased connectivity, and availability of adequate urban spaces,” the CMO said.
The government’s statement came a day after the Cyberabad police detained several students protesting the land auction. The unrest began when earth movers were deployed on the eastern side of the campus on March 31 to clear land. With a heavy police presence in place, several students resisted the move until the detained protesters were released later that night. Despite ongoing anger over continued land leveling near the campus, the government reiterated that the boundary identification of the land was conducted in coordination with UoH officials in July 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Telangana’s claim over the disputed land.
According to the government, Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake—two major lakes within the university—are not included in the 400-acre area allocated to TGIIC for development. The land in question falls under Kancha Gachibowli village in Serilingampally mandal, Ranga Reddy district. Initially allotted in 2004 by the Chandrababu Naidu government to a private company for sports infrastructure development, the land was reclaimed by the YS Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress government in 2006. A prolonged legal battle ensued, culminating in May 2024 with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Telangana government.
Despite the state’s claims, student protesters insist that the land should be formally recognized as part of the UoH campus, with legal ownership granted to the university. While the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government allegedly allotted 2,324 acres to UoH in 1975, the Telangana High Court has previously noted that no official documentation exists to confirm this transfer.
A survey of the 400-acre land revealed that “not a single inch of land belongs to the University of Hyderabad,” the CMO said.
The government further dismissed environmental concerns raised by students and activists, reiterating that no lakes or significant rock formations are part of the development plan. “Those opposing the project are some political leaders and real estate businessmen who are misleading the students in line with their interests,” the statement alleged.
The protests began in mid-March when TGIIC issued a call for bids from consultants to draft a master plan and assist in auctioning the land. The government has maintained that the 400-acre parcel, listed under Survey No. 25, has always been government land according to revenue records. To prevent potential encroachments, the land was transferred to TGIIC in June 2024 for IT and infrastructure development projects.
Reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development, the government said that after a comprehensive boundary survey involving UoH officials and revenue authorities, TGIIC integrated the protection of the Mushroom Rock formation and other natural elements into its development plans. It also stated that a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) would be put in place to ensure ecological sustainability.
Despite the government’s assurances, student-led demonstrations continue, with protesters demanding the immediate suspension of the land auction process and a comprehensive review of the site’s ecological significance.