Hyderabad Defence Ministry Approves 6.85 Lakh SqM Land Transfer to HMDA to Ease Traffic Congestion
Hyderabad will soon see relief from chronic traffic congestion as the Ministry of Defence has approved the transfer of 6.85 lakh square meters of defence land to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). This strategic move aims to facilitate the construction of elevated corridors across key routes in Secunderabad, drastically improving mobility in the twin cities.
The land transfer will support infrastructure projects along State Highway-1 (SH-1) from Paradise Junction to Military Dairy Farm Road, and National Highway-44 (NH-44) up to Shamirpet. The approval, formalized via a Presidential corrigendum to an earlier 2024 order, clears the final hurdle for one of the city’s most ambitious traffic decongestion efforts. Of the total land area, 4.59 lakh sq.m has been earmarked for SH-1 and 2.26 lakh sq.m for NH-44. The parcels are currently under the control of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, DRDO, and the Directorate General of Defence Estates. The combined value of the land is estimated at over ₹1,700 crore.
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority will compensate the Defence Ministry through a combination of equal-value land and cash, ensuring a seamless transaction without impacting project timelines. As part of the MoU, a portion of the compensation amounting to ₹303.62 crore will be deposited in an escrow account dedicated to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB), rather than the Consolidated Fund of India. These funds will be used for localized development, including road repairs, drainage upgrades, and drinking water supply improvements.
This land transfer is expected to significantly ease bottlenecks in the high-density military and civilian zones of Secunderabad and serve as a blueprint for similar collaborations across India.
