Nandagiri Hills: For rich and mighty

By Mouli Mareedu

Nandagiri Hills, neighboring Jubilee Hills, is one area affluent families in the city prefer to live. Located on a beautiful hillock, this sylvan colony has actually been allotted to IAS officials working in various State departments by the then Chief Minister late N T Rama Rao during his regime.

As the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) started developing the hilltop for residential purpose, many bigwigs started to invest crores of rupees to build massive mansions. K Krishna, a prominent advocate practicing at the Andhra Pradesh High Court, who is a resident of Nandagiri Hills, said he had obtained a plot in this area in an auction, which was conducted by HUDA.

“I was very passionate to have a big manor in Nandagiri Hills. I obtained this plot investing crores of rupees. I am very proud as I am one of the residents of Nandagiri Hills,” Krishna said.

“The Nandagiri Hills area was segregated from Jubilee Hills to provide accommodation for IAS officials when the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) formed the government for the first time,” said S Gouri Reddy, a businessman and resident of Nandagiri Hills.

Somamma, who runs a pan shop at Nandagiri Hills, said 30-years ago the area was full of jungles and no one showed interest to come there. “My friends and I used to come on the crest of this hill to graze our cattle as plenty of grass was available here,”Somamma said. Now, the Nandagiri Hills is divided into two parts - one is being maintained by Nandagiri Hills Housing Society, which has at least 50 plots and another one is maintained by HUDA, which has as many as 100 plots.

Y Ramakrishna, a granite businessman, said Nandagiri Hills started developing various aspects as HUDA was concentrating on this place and providing proper facilities. “One year ago, HUDA auctioned at least 100-plots and getting great response. Each plot fetched between Rs 6 crore to Rs 10 crore,”Ramakrishna said. Film actors Pavan Kalyan, Nagendra Babu, actress Bhomika Chawla, Karvy managing director Ugandhar and several prominent personalities live at Nandagiri Hills. “Nandagiri Hills started developing as HUDA took care of the colony. Nandagiri Colony has underground drainage, round-the-clock water supply, underground electricity cabling system and construction roads,” Krishnamurthy, a resident said.