New Delhi/Hyderabad: The amended Waqf Act has come into force across India following a notification issued by the Central Government. The Waqf Amendment Bill, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and approved by President Droupadi Murmu on April 8, 2025, is now officially operational, as confirmed by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The Waqf Boards in India are known to hold vast land assets, estimated to span between 8.7 to 9.4 lakh acres, valued at approximately Rs 1.2 lakh crore. With this, the Waqf Board stands as the third-largest landholder in India, following Indian Railways and the Ministry of Defence.
This amendment revises the Waqf Act of 1995, which has now been ratified and implemented as the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. As a result, the issue of Waqf land in Telangana has come under increased scrutiny.
In Telangana, the Waqf Board controls a total of 77,538 acres of land, of which approximately 74% (around 57,423 acres) has been reported as encroached, either partially or fully. These lands have been allegedly occupied by private individuals and organizations, with 33,929 acres being agricultural Waqf properties. In addition to agricultural land, the Waqf Board also holds commercial properties, including shopping complexes and buildings.
Medak district holds the largest share of Waqf land in Telangana with 23,910 acres, while Khammam has the least at 534 acres.
In response to growing concerns over the encroachment of Waqf lands, the Central Government has initiated steps to protect these assets. A team from IIT-Delhi, in collaboration with Waqf authorities and the Revenue Department, will conduct a survey to identify and document the Waqf properties. The IIT-Delhi team is scheduled to arrive in Hyderabad on April 28, 2025, to begin the survey.