HYDRAA protected 500 acres of govt land worth Rs 30,000 crore in first year: Ranganath

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has protected nearly 500 acres of government land worth over Rs 30,000 crore in its first year of operations, said HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath.

Lake restoration and wastewater diversion efforts

The commissioner said HYDRAA is actively restoring six lakes, almost doubling their storage capacity. “We are diverting wastewater flowing on roads and the Musi River back into these lakes to rejuvenate them and strengthen the city’s water resources,” he added.

Encroachments checked despite legal challenges

Ranganath noted that HYDRAA is systematically protecting lakes, ponds and nalas from encroachments. “Even legal challenges have not stopped HYDRAA from saving public lands,” he said.

Development to accompany demolition

He emphasised that chief minister A Revanth Reddy has directed HYDRAA to focus on development alongside demolition drives.

“The CM wants us to build and develop civic assets along with clearing encroachments. In the coming days, HYDRAA will take up restoration and development of many more lakes,” he said.

‘Encroachers fear HYDRAA action’

“Encroachers now think twice before occupying lakes or government lands due to HYDRAA’s strict vigilance and action,” Ranganath pointed out.

Clarification on Owaisi College issue

Responding to criticism over HYDRAA’s action on Owaisi College, he clarified, “HYDRAA has exempted houses built before its formation while tackling illegal encroachments. The government has given HYDRAA a clear policy to follow the Supreme Court's directions. Many powerful people use the poor to avoid accountability by putting them in front of bulldozers.”

He questioned the narrative blaming HYDRAA for targeting the poor. “Do poor people have the courage to encroach parks worth Rs 30-40 crore?” he asked.

Notifications pending for most lakes

Ranganath revealed that final notifications have been issued for only 140 lakes in Hyderabad.

“About 80 per cent of lakes are still awaiting final notification. Ten years ago, 540 lakes received only primary notification. Salakam lake, where Owaisi College is located, is still under the notification process,” he said.

Same rules apply to all

“Some are repeatedly questioning only the Owaisi College. Why such special interest? The same rules apply to all institutions, irrespective of who runs them,” he said, adding that applying current rules retrospectively to constructions built before HYDRAA’s formation is not logical.