BJP, AIMIM unite to criticise HYDRAA for demolitions of 'unauthorised' structures

Hyderabad: In a rare show of unity, the BJP and AIMIM have expressed strong objection to the demolition of purported encroachments and unauthorised structures near lakes and ponds in the city by HYDRAA.

Usually on opposing sides of the political aisle, leaders such as Asaduddin Owaisi and Eatala Rajender have taken issue with the agency’s vigorous efforts to reclaim encroached territory around Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road (ORR).

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has questioned the ‘selective nature’ of demolitions being done by the agency.

Spate of demolitions by HYDRAA targeting political encroachments

The Congress administration has recently established HYDRAA, or Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency, to handle disasters, preserve assets and carry out other civic duties in the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR).

As many as 43 acres of lakes, ponds and other bodies of water that had been encroached upon by politicians from different parties, VIPs and real estate developers are said to have been reclaimed by the HYDRAA over the past three months.

Asaduddin questions Congress over demolitions

“Will the government’s offices and buildings within the buffer zones and Full Tank Level (FTL) be razed as well? Is Necklace Road scheduled for demolition given that it is under FTL? Will the Central Government office at Himayat Sagar and the GHMC headquarters at Hussain Sagar suffer the same fate?” Owaisi asked, objecting to the State government’s requirements for the demolitions.

The Hyderabad MP also said that corporators of AIMIM have met the mayor and the municipal commissioner on HYDRAA explaining that the agency has no legislative and legal authority regarding the demolitions.

“Karwan MLA Kausar Mohiuddin also met the chief secretary Shanthi Kumari and spoke about how the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) office is also in the FTL area,” Owaisi said.

Akbaruddin defends Fatima Owaisi College amid demolition threats

Echoing Owaisi’s concerns, his brother and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi defended Fatima Owaisi College amid demolition threats by HYDRAA.

Akbaruddin Owaisi responded forcefully to the possible demolition of Fatima Owaisi College, claiming that it offers 40,000 students free education. “Shoot me with bullets, but don’t destroy my college,” he said.

Owaisi also charged that people behind the plans for demolition were jealous of the institution he created and its success.

“I am teaching the students skills that are making other people jealous,” he said, denouncing attempts to thwart his efforts to help the underprivileged. Owaisi, who has already escaped numerous attacks, declared that he would not abandon his objective, even if it meant risking his life.

Eatala launches scathing attack on Revanth

Similarly, BJP MP Eatala Rajender also launched a scathing attack on the State government, especially on chief minister Revanth Reddy.

“In this demolition drama, Revanth Reddy, you’re portraying a hero. The buildings of the wealthy and powerful are conveniently spared while the structures of the poor and middle class are being demolished,” said Rajender.

Rajender also claimed that the government was frightening common people by threatening to demolish their houses, even though they were constructed with official permissions decades before. “Who granted permission to CM Revanth Reddy to demolish these homes? If you’re really committed to conserving the water bodies, demolish the farmhouses and buildings of the wealthy, but stay away from the modest homes of the middle class.”

BRS MLA seeks justice for demolition victims

Meanwhile, BRS Kukatpally MLA Madhavaram Krishna Rao has welcomed the demolition drive taken by the HYDRAA across the ORR limits, while asking for fair compensation to everyone involved and action on officials who had given permission for the structures.

“HYDRAA is carrying out the demolition drive in the FTL or buffer zone to protect the lakes. But what about the situation of those who purchased the sites? Will the HYDRAA ensure the payment to the people from the builders? Will there be any action taken on the irrigation, revenue, municipal and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) officials who have given permissions,” Krishna Rao questioned.

The MLA also said that most of the properties were purchased by common people and software employees. “What justice will be done to them?” Krishna Rao said.