HYDRAA gets Rs 50 crores from Telangana govt for maintenance, demolition costs

Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has released Rs 50 crores to the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA), created for the conservation of government lakes and parks, restoration of ponds and disaster management under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.

Funds for maintaining the HYDRAA office, new vehicles

Principal Secretary (MA&UD) M Dana Kishore issued an order to this effect on Tuesday. The order stated that the funds can be spent on maintenance of the HYDRAA office, purchase of new vehicles as well as paying bills related to demolitions so far. The State government, which has allocated Rs 200 crores for HYDRAA in the budget, has released Rs 50 crores.

What is HYDRAA’s purpose?

HYDRAA was constituted by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on July 12 this year. Since its inception, the HYDRAA has demolished several alleged unauthorised structures constructed in the FTL or Buffer zone limits of various lakes in the GHMC jurisdiction.

On October 16, the State government issued orders empowering the agency as per the amended GHMC Act, 1955. Section 374B empowers HYDRAA for the purpose of ‘levelling, metalling, paving, channelling, widening or otherwise to carry out any repair to the public streets.’

Besides freeing public spaces from encroachment, the HYDRAA is also focusing on infrastructure expansion. The officials expressed hope that the latest measures would support the development goals of the government. Also, the State government is gearing up to allocate enough space for the agency to establish a full-fledged police station.

With this decision, the HYDRAA would be better equipped to combat crime and increase the effectiveness of criminal investigations.

"The preservation and restoration of waterbodies is our primary focus. The HYDRAA has the authority to stop anyone from trying to infringe on lake area. Mostly the rich are occupying government places. The agency will receive support from the state government, and court rulings about the demolition of unlawful structures were unambiguous," said HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath said during a national conference recently organised by the National Biodiversity Authority and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiative here.

Demolition drive in Maheshwaram

Meanwhile, the HYDRAA officials have taken up a demolition drive in the Maheshwaram constituency. A container encroaching on the parking space of Sri Venkateswara Colony in Almasguda village of Badangpet Municipal Corporation was removed.

The demolition drive was conducted under the supervision of HYDRAA inspector Tirumalesh. Locals have mixed reactions to the removal of illegal structures.

A section of the public welcomed the HYDRAA’s actions and were happy to find park space made available to the public. On the other hand, some are expressing dissatisfaction that they have lost their livelihood.

Officials said that the steps have been taken in coordination between HYDRAA team and local authorities.