The Telangana government is now focusing on the 111 GO area. The previous BRS government had repealed the 111 GO and taken a decision on it. Although the Revanth Reddy government has been in power for two years, it has yet to make any decision regarding the 111 GO. This has created ongoing uncertainty about what the Congress government will decide regarding the 111 GO area.
According to secretariat sources, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reviewed the 111 GO and instructed officials to start the necessary preparations. It is understood that a decision regarding the 111 GO area will likely be taken in the cabinet meeting scheduled for December.
The Hyderabad real estate sector is watching developments around the 111 GO area with keen interest. Two years ago, in May 2023, the previous BRS government had lifted restrictions in areas under the 111 GO, making over 1.32 lakh acres of land in 84 villages available. However, construction policies were not finalised before the BRS government left office. Since then, suspense has continued over what decision the Congress government will take regarding the 111 GO area.
The government is currently facing financial challenges in implementing the six guarantees, other welfare schemes, and development programs. As part of fund consolidation, the Revanth Reddy government considered selling the Kanche Gachibowli lands but encountered difficulties. As a result, the government has reportedly started exploring alternative avenues. It is estimated that of the 1.32 lakh acres in the 111 GO area, around 30,000 acres are government-owned.
Regarding the 111 GO area, the Telangana government is preparing to develop the region in compliance with National Green Tribunal orders and guidelines. Officials say efforts are underway to draft a comprehensive proposal covering building regulations, reservoir protection measures, zoning, and master planning. A special committee of officials has reportedly been appointed to study the measures needed to protect the twin reservoirs, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, while ensuring no harm to the environment. The Revanth government is considering lifting restrictions in the 111 GO area, using government land for development, and possibly selling a portion of the land.
Experts are warning that lifting restrictions in the 111 GO area could inevitably harm the environment. While Hyderabad spans 217 sq km, the 111 GO area extends over a much larger 538 sq km—more than double the city’s area. Specialists emphasise that the primary goal of the 111 GO master plan should be to protect the twin reservoirs for future generations. They recommend that only environmentally safe constructions be permitted and that the master plan adopt a net-zero sewage policy. This means every household must have a sewage treatment plant, preventing untreated wastewater from polluting the reservoirs. Additionally, experts suggest using alternative building materials like bamboo instead of steel and cement wherever possible.
Experts also stress that the 111 GO area should complement Hyderabad’s development rather than compete with existing high-rises or IT buildings. They caution that purchasing lands in these villages to build farmhouses has a limited impact on the real estate market, but allowing high-rise constructions could negatively affect Hyderabad’s temperature and increase pollution, potentially turning the twin reservoirs into another Hussain Sagar. Recommendations include developing sanitation, roads, and self-sufficient amenities while creating a buffer zone of a few kilometres around the reservoirs, permitting only resorts in this zone. Overall, the cabinet meeting scheduled for December is expected to discuss and decide the future course of development in the 111 GO area.