Villagers, opposition leaders protest at MRO office against proposed waste facility
Siddapur, a village in Kothur mandal of Ranga Reddy district, has mounted sustained resistance to a proposed solid waste processing facility earmarked as an ‘Eco Town’ on 86 acres of land that the state intends to use for treating waste generated within the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The protest campaign escalated on August 11 with a sit-in at the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) office, attended by opposition party leaders and villagers, according to reporting.
Villagers say resistance began well before the government order for the Eco Town was issued in early July, and that there was no public hearing on the project. The proposal was first reported on May 26, 2026, and has since triggered a string of demonstrations and representations to officials.
- Twice organised 'Chalo Collectorate' protests and submissions to the district collector.
- Rasta roko on National Highway-44.
- Meeting with Mahabubnagar MP D.K. Aruna and a sit-in at the Tehsildar’s office on August 11.
Villagers object to the choice of land, saying it was acquired earlier for an industrial park and that the waste facility could be expanded to cover the remainder of land taken from them. The land acquisition history is central to local anger: the industrial park proposal dates back to 2008 and a renewed effort after the formation of Telangana led to acquisition drives in 2021.
| Item | Area |
|---|---|
| Land designated for Eco Town | 86 acres |
| Total land set aside for Industrial Park (revived) | 330.34 acres |
| Land villagers say was acquired | 248 acres |
“Our lands were acquired in the name of an industrial park in 2021 by the then BRS government. Some allotments too were made to industries. But now we have reason to believe that the solid waste treatment facility will be extended to include all the land acquired,”
said Sri Charan Chari, a B.Tech graduate from Siddapur, in comments reported alongside coverage of the protests. He added that some industries allotted land earlier could be shifted elsewhere if the waste facility expands.
Local residents emphasise two core grievances: the perceived absence of due public consultation prior to finalisation of the Eco Town proposal and the fear that the facility will not remain confined to the currently notified 86 acres. They note the project is classified as a ‘Blue Category’ industry, under which public hearings are not mandatory — a technical detail cited in reporting as a reason no hearing was held.
The state’s earlier plans for an industrial park in Siddapur covered 377 acres, but confusion over land status and other issues stalled initial efforts. After Telangana’s formation, authorities revived the industrial park idea and later initiated acquisition totalling 330.34 acres, including government land; villagers say 248 acres were actually taken.
For Hyderabad residents, the dispute raises questions about long-term waste management strategy, site selection transparency and land-use commitments. The Eco Town is presented by authorities as a solid waste management and waste-to-energy initiative intended to promote a circular economy and to handle GHMC’s municipal solid waste. Opponents argue that the plan should have involved local stakeholders and that prior commitments about industrial development must be honoured.
The protests have drawn political attention locally; the involvement of opposition leaders and the MP from neighbouring Mahabubnagar indicate the issue has moved beyond village-level agitation. Officials have yet to publish a public hearing schedule or a detailed environmental impact assessment in the public domain, according to the available reporting. How quickly the district administration or state departments respond to the villagers’ representations will determine whether tensions escalate or are defused through negotiation and safeguards on land use.
As Hyderabad expands and the GHMC grapples with mounting waste, the Siddapur dispute underscores the need for transparent consultation and clear assurances on land-use boundaries when industrial and infrastructure projects are proposed on acquired agricultural or village lands.
