In the heart of Hyderabad, a quiet yet resolute battle is underway as residents of Vayupuri Colony unite to defend their fast-disappearing green spaces from the unchecked spread of commercial encroachments. What was once a well-planned residential enclave for defence personnel has now turned into a contested zone where trees are felled, footpaths are overtaken, and lung spaces are shrinking with every passing year.
Spread across 50 acres and home to nearly 200 families, Vayupuri was developed in 1966 on government-owned grazing land. While never officially notified as forest, the land was cultivated with a strong emphasis on tree plantation and open spaces—values upheld by the original residents, many of whom were former Air Force officers. Today, those very residents are sounding the alarm over what they describe as the slow, systematic erasure of their neighbourhood’s ecological character.
“From the beginning, we chose to leave parts of our land open and plant trees wherever possible. These weren’t just gardens; they were our commitment to clean air and livability,” shared a senior member of the Air Force Officers’ Cooperative Housing Society. “But in the last decade, we’ve seen a disturbing trend—commercial outlets cutting trees, encroaching on green belts, and even installing diesel generators in public spaces.”
The numbers tell a stark story. Of the nearly 20,000 square yards originally designated for greenery, only 10,752 square yards remain intact. Residents allege that the remaining space has been usurped by 23 commercial establishments operating in violation of planning regulations. These businesses, they claim, have also damaged underground sewage lines and worsened traffic congestion with indiscriminate parking of commercial vehicles on narrow internal roads.
The area along Fifth Avenue and from Second Cross Road onwards has emerged as a flashpoint. Eateries, bars, and shops have begun to dominate the streetscape, eating into green zones and public access points. In some cases, commercial units have extended their premises onto footpaths and even private setbacks, residents allege. One popular sweet shop and a nearby eatery have come under specific scrutiny for occupying large swathes of the green belt, with no visible action from civic authorities.
“This was once a peaceful area with clean air and low noise,” said a retired Group Captain who has lived in the colony for over 30 years. “Today, you step out and see exhaust fans, garbage, and parked delivery trucks where children used to play. It’s not just an environmental concern—it’s a quality-of-life issue.”
Despite repeated representations to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), residents claim there has been no visible enforcement of zoning norms or restoration efforts. The lack of regulatory oversight has only emboldened further violations, prompting citizens to now consider legal options and public mobilisation to safeguard the remaining green cover.
While civic bodies often speak of sustainable development, Vayupuri’s experience reveals a growing gap between policy and ground reality. As India’s cities expand, the battle for breathable spaces will increasingly fall to local communities. In Hyderabad’s Vayupuri, that battle has already begun—and it underscores the urgent need to balance urban growth with ecological preservation.
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