Hyderabad, April 16, 2025 – The Supreme Court stayed a Telangana High Court order Tuesday, blocking the transfer of 263 acres of University of Hyderabad (UoH) land in Gachibowli to the state government for infrastructure projects, sparking relief among students and faculty. The bench, led by Justice PS Narasimha, issued notices to Telangana and the Centre, scheduling a hearing for May 7 after UoH challenged the move, per NDTV.
The row erupted when Telangana sought the prime land—valued at Rs 8,000 crore—for an AI hub and pharma city, citing public interest (The Indian Express). UoH, sprawling across 2,300 acres, argued it’s a green lung hosting 5,000 students and rare flora—70% of its forest cover could vanish (The Hindu). “This is our identity—not a plot for sale,” a PhD scholar told Times of India. The High Court’s January 2025 nod to the transfer, despite UoH’s 1974 central status, fueled protests—500 students rallied Monday (Deccan Chronicle).
Petitioner Kancha Ilaiah, a UoH alum, flagged encroachment fears—30% of campus land is already disputed (The Economic Times). The SC’s stay cites “irreparable loss”—UoH’s 1,200 research papers yearly lean on its labs (India Today). X is electric—“Save UoH!” trends, but some locals back Telangana: “Hyderabad needs growth” (post:2). CM A Revanth Reddy, eyeing $10 billion in AI investments, insists it’s a win-win (Business Standard). Yet, 2024’s 15% forest loss in Telangana stings green hopes (MoEFCC).
For India’s academic hub—5 lakh students in Hyderabad—land’s a battleground. Will UoH hold its ground, or bend to progress?
