Hyderabad: Hyderabad witnessed a demolition drive on Friday as authorities took action against illegal encroachments.
The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) carried out the operation at IDL drain and the Bulkapur drain.
Encroachments cleared at IDL drain
According to HYDRAA, the drain originating from IDL Lake in Kukatpally should be 7 meters wide but has been reduced to just 2 meters in many places.
This has resulted in flooding in areas of Habib Nagar, Sri Hari Nagar, and Shiva Shakti Nagar where locals say the water reaches waist-deep levels.
HDYRAA cleared encroachments of 50 to 70 meters along the stretch of NRC and NKNR function halls.
HYDRAA stated that the drain starting from IDL Lake, passes Musapet metro station and joins the Kukatpally drain. The 2-kilometre stretch has been encroached upon in many areas, especially near Shiva Shakti Nagar, close to Musapet metro station, where the drain has narrowed to just one and a half meters.
The encroachment removal drive was conducted under tight security with heavy police presence to ensure smooth execution of the operation.
Encroachments cleared along Bulkapur drain
On the same day, HYDRAA also cleared encroachments on the Bulkapur drain in the Tummala Basti area.
The drain originating from Bulkapur Lake in Shankarapally, Ranga Reddy district, passes through IT areas, enters Hyderabad, and flows through Chintal Basti and Tummala Basti before joining Hussain Sagar via Khairatabad junction.
The drain had been encroached upon in many areas, particularly between Tummala Basti and Anand Nagar, where the 8 meter drain has been reduced to just 5 meters.
Locals complained to HYDRAA that these encroachments cause sewage to flood Tummala Basti and Anand Nagar colonies during the rains.
Following the complaint, HYDRA removed a boundary wall built by owners of Sridhar Function Hall within the drain.
Some encroachments were also found in the upper section, but residents there assured they would clear them themselves, and were granted a few days time by HYDRAA.
Debris near the culvert at the Khairatabad junction was also cleared paving way for smooth flow of flood water.
HYDRAA drive
Recently, in a move to safeguard Hyderabad from monsoon-related flooding, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Authority (HYDRAA) teams launched a demolition drive against encroachments in Saidabad.
The drive was aimed at removing illegal structures built over drainage lines in the Krishna Nagar area.
The action was taken as part of ongoing efforts to clear obstructions that could result in flooding during heavy rains.
Hyderabad has faced repeated waterlogging issues in the past, particularly in low-lying zones where encroachments disrupt natural water flow.
