A Tale of Two Cities: Telangana’s Silent Struggle for Land and Livelihood

Prologue: A Dream Turning into Disarray

Once envisioned as beacons of development, Hyderabad Pharma City and its newfound counterpart, the Future City, now walk the tightrope between ambition and adversity. What began as a push for industrial expansion near Yacharam, Kandukur, and Kadthal mandals in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy District has spiraled into controversy, suspicion, and resistance from local communities.

The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), originally tasked with shaping a hub of pharmaceutical innovation, now finds itself at the heart of a storm. The shift from a Pharma City to a proposed Future City raises alarming questions about legality, transparency, and social justice.

Chapter One: The Hidden Merger

At the core of this crisis is the unofficial intertwining of Hyderabad Pharma City with the so-called “Future City” — a project veiled in uncertainty. According to recent actions by the Telangana government, including the notification of a Future City Development Authority, a new wave of confusion is sweeping through the region.

These areas, acquired ostensibly for Pharma City, are now being eyed for electronics and real estate development, a move the public believes is unjust and unconstitutional. Farmers fear that old mistakes of the BRS regime are being recycled under a new name.

Chapter Two: Constitutional Breach and People’s Betrayal

The Telangana government's approach defies the spirit of the Indian Constitution, particularly in ensuring participatory development and protection of livelihoods. Despite objections raised since 2015, including formal submissions during the environment clearance process, affected communities were met with deafening silence.

Even when the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) gave its nod to Hyderabad Pharma City, critical environmental protocols were ignored. The Environment Protection Act was undermined, and local villagers’ voices went unheard.

Related: Learn about India’s Environmental Clearance Process and how it’s meant to protect people and nature.

Chapter Three: A Linear Illusion

Unlike any typical industrial setup, the proposed Hyderabad Pharma City followed a linear layout — stretching across nearly 50 km, with just a 1 km width in some stretches. This bizarre planning excluded villages from the estate yet surrounded them, creating a scenario where villagers were promised they’d keep their homes — but lose the land around them.

The residents were misled, and no answers were given on how people could survive in island-like settlements amid sprawling industrial activity.

Chapter Four: Water, Waste, and Worry

Pharma and electronic industries are both notorious water guzzlers, discharging dangerous effluents. The Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) identified streams and water bodies in the area, initially recommending a 1-km buffer zone. Shockingly, this was eventually reduced to 10 meters, then completely scrapped.

Further Reading: See CPCB guidelines on industrial effluent discharge and buffer zones.

Over 23 villages face direct impact, yet public hearings were allegedly manipulated and rushed. In four hours, hearings covering 232 villages were “completed” — under police presence and restricted public access.

Chapter Five: The Forests Whisper

Within 15 km of the project area lie 13 reserved forests, including Kadthal, Mudhivennu, and Tippareddypalli — all ecologically sensitive. Despite this, the buffer zone around these forests was reduced from 100 m to 60 m, with no scientific justification.

The Environment Protection, Training and Research Institute (EPTRI), responsible for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), is a state-run body, reporting to the very government pushing the project — raising a serious conflict of interest.

Chapter Six: No Plan, No Clarity

Despite massive land acquisition — over 19,000 acres — there’s no master plan, no data on unit types, and zero coordination with departments like Agriculture, Education, or Welfare. Revenue officials are simply executing land acquisitions without rehabilitation, fair compensation, or legal clarity.

The Telangana High Court has since stayed land acquisition proceedings, branding them illegal and arbitrary.

Epilogue: Voices from the Ground

Farmers in Yacharam, Kandukur, and other mandals aren’t just protesting development — they’re demanding dignity, transparency, and constitutional respect. From concerns about food security to biodiversity, this fight is not against progress — it’s a plea for justice.

The people are calling for a categorical withdrawal of the Hyderabad Pharma City and Future City proposals. It’s not too late for the government to heed their call and pivot toward inclusive, environment-conscious development.

Explore related themes of Land Acquisition Laws in India and PESA Act for protecting tribal and rural land rights.