Hyderabad:The Kancha Gachibowli land, a sprawling 400-acre parcel at the heart of Hyderabad’s bustling IT corridor, has emerged as a flashpoint of controversy, with its storied past fueling debates over development and conservation.
Initially allocated in 2003 to IMG Academies Bharat Pvt. Ltd. for the creation of world-class sports infrastructure, the land’s destiny veered off course as the project failed to materialize. In 2006, the allotment was revoked by the then Congress-led government.
The ensuing legal battle stretched across years, culminating in a 2024 ruling by the High Court and the Supreme Court upholding the cancellation. With the land back in government hands, it was transferred to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) for redevelopment.
The University of Hyderabad (UoH), founded in 1974, was once granted 2,300 acres of land for its sprawling campus. A portion of this, comprising 400 acres, later became embroiled in the IMG saga. This reallocation sparked deep-seated discontent among students and environmental advocates, who view the land as an indispensable part of the university’s verdant ecosystem, home to an array of flora and fauna.
The Telangana government’s decision to auction the reclaimed land for IT and industrial purposes has stirred strong resistance. Critics argue that the move threatens green spaces vital to the local environment and academic community. Protests have erupted, calling for the land to be reintegrated with the university’s campus. However, the government asserts that the land’s development is crucial for fostering economic growth and does not fall under the university’s ownership.
As Hyderabad’s urban landscape continues to evolve, the debate over Kancha Gachibowli encapsulates broader tensions between the imperatives of progress and the preservation of ecological and educational sanctuaries.