The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Tuesday protected 7,200 square yards of land earmarked for public purposes in TPS Chamundipatnam Colony in Kundanpally village of Keesara mandal in Medchal-Malkajgiri district.

The layout, formed in 1983, had earmarked 6,000 square yards for a park, and 600 square yards each at two locations, totalling 1,200 square yards for market places. According to HYDRAA, attempts were made to occupy the entire 7,200 square yards by constructing precast walls around the land and bringing it under private control.

Representatives of the Chamundipatnam Colony Cultural and Welfare Association raised the issue through HYDRAA’s Prajavani programme.

Following the complaint, HYDRAA officials, along with municipal and revenue officials, conducted a field inspection and identified the land parcels as meant for public purposes.

The encroachments were removed on Tuesday and sign boards were installed, besides a fencing around the land parcels.

In another operation on Tuesday, HYDRAA also took steps to protect Saki lake in Patancheru of Sangareddy district from encroachments.

Encroachments were taking place on one side of the lake by filling in the full tank level with truckloads of mud.

Acting on a request from the Irrigation officials, HYDRAA on Tuesday erected fencing along the one-kilometre stretch of the lake, a press note informed.