CM Revanth rechristens disaster management department as HYDRA; extends its service to GHMC

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has extended services of disaster management department to GHMC, 27 Municipalities, Corporations, and 33 Gram Panchayats.

CM Revanth has tentatively decided to name this department `Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection' (HYDRA).

The CM said that a DIG-level officer will be appointed as the Director of HYDRA and the SP-level officers will be nominated as Additional Directors. The CM also suggested constituting Special teams from GHMC, HMDA, Water Board, City Traffic, and various departments in the disaster department.

This follows the rapid expansion of the geographical area of Hyderabad.

The CM ordered to increase the scope of the Disaster Management Department up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

The officials have been asked to assign the responsibilities to the authorities accordingly along with the changing of the entire system in line with the decision taken by the government.

The Chief Minister held a review meeting with state Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Riverfront Development officials Monday evening at the Secretariat.

Apart from regular services during the floods and accidents, the chief minister directed the officials to restructure the entire disaster management wing to offer continuous services to the people of the city. The CM clarified that HYDRA should be active in dealing with all problems being faced by the people in the city.

The CM decided the disaster management department would take up the key responsibilities of protecting the lakes and ponds within the GHMC area of about two thousand kilometers, nalas in the city, and the government properties from the threat of encroachment.

The disaster management wing will also provide services like the control of hoardings and flexes, drinking water pipelines, power supply lines, drainages, flood management, and traffic control. CM Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari to prepare a draft on the reorganization, requirement of personnel, duties, allocation of funds, and responsibilities of this department.

The Chief Minister ordered to speed up the work of the Musi Riverfront Development Project and alerted the officials that this project should work in tune with the government's goal to promote Hyderabad as the best international city.

The CM also asked the officials to take appropriate measures to restore the buildings of historical importance and dilapidated structures in Hyderabad city. GHMC officials gave a PowerPoint presentation on various historical places like the City Library, Ayurvedic Hospital near Charminar, Nizamia Observatory, Gudimalkapur Lake, etc. The Chief Minister suggested exploring ways to develop them as tourist spots. Among these, the CM advised identifying those that can be linked with the Musi Riverfront Development project.