Fact Check: HYDRAA demolishing buildings in West Marredpally? Here are the facts

Hyderabad: HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath, on November 22, said that the agency will focus on preventing new constructions on lakes while addressing existing encroachments. HYDRAA stands for Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency.

Ever since its inception in July, HYDRAA has been criticised by some sections of the city for carrying out demolitions without proper investigation and for allegedly creating fear among the poor for their homes.

In this context, news reports and social media posts have claimed that HYDRAA has carried out demolitions in West Marredpally. An X user shared videos allegedly showing a JCB pulling down unauthorised structures near the Maisamma Temple.

An X post read, “HYDRAA demolitions in West Marredpally. HYDRAA personnel carrying out demolition work with a JCB near Maisamma Temple in Hyderabad’s West Marredpally. (Translated from Telugu) (Archive)

Similar claims have been shared here, and here.

Sharing a video of the demolition, a news agency in an X post claimed, “HYDRAA officials demolished unauthorized structures near Maisamma temple in West Marredpally on Saturday. The buildings were reportedly constructed without required permissions from the concerned authorities. The demolition exercise was carried out in the presence of a large number of police personnel. #HYDRAA #encroachments (sic)” (Archive)

Another news report stated: “Hydra officials have assured that all necessary legal procedures were followed before the demolitions took place. They also mentioned that a team was on-site to assist affected families in finding temporary accommodation and to help them understand the reason for the action.” (Archive)

The news report used a screengrab from the viral video, captioning it, “Hydra Demolition Drive Near Mysamma Temple in Hyderabad.”

Fact Check

NewsMeter found the claim is false. The demolition at West Marredpally was done by the GHMC, not HYDRAA.

Upon a keyword search, we found a video posted by Deccan Chronicle on its X account, that showed various encroachments being cleared with an excavator on Saturday (November 23). The caption read, “The GHMC in a special drive with the support of law-and-order agencies have cleared encroachments in West Marredpally in Secunderabad.” (Archive)

Elaborating on the operation, Deccan Chronicle, in its report, stated that the GHMC and the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) personnel in a joint operation cleared encroachments from footpaths in West Marredpally on Saturday, clearing the way for pedestrians.

However, there is no mention of HYDRAA’s involvement in the operation at West Marredpally.

“The drive targeted encroachments by commercial establishments, including pole signboards, overhead display boards, staircases, sheds, and other illegal constructions. Officials used excavators and earthmovers to dismantle and remove these structures,” the report said. (Archive)

NewsMeter contacted the deputy city planner of GHMC in West Maredpally, R Susmitha, who informed us that the video is from the encroachment removal drive conducted on Saturday. She confirmed that the operation was carried out jointly by the city police, Secunderabad Cantonment Board and the GHMC.

DCP R Susmitha, in green attire, can be spotted in the Deccan Chronicle video and the viral video too, confirming that both clips were recorded on the same day.

Here is a comparison of the screenshots from both videos.

Hence, we conclude that the claim is false. HYDRAA was not involved in the recent demolition drive that took place in West Marredpally.