Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Saturday, February 22, demolished encroachments in Hyderabad’s Uppal.
The agency demolished illegal structures on footpaths at the Monday Market.
On February 20, HYDRAA demolished unauthorised structures in Pariki Lake of Hyderabad’s Quthbullapur. The Pariki Lake Conservation Committee has complained with HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath, alleging encroachment on the 60-acre lake. In response, HYDRAA launched a full-scale investigation, coordinating with revenue, irrigation, and municipal departments.
Following the probe, demolitions were carried out in the FTL area of Pariki Lake in Hyderabad, where unauthorized constructions were identified.
Meanwhile, the committee reported that Balakrishna, a purported local leader, was illegally selling government land and plots within the lake’s FTL perimeter through notarized agreements. On February 18, HYDRAA excavations uncovered hidden waters of Bathukamma Kunta Lake, which was believed to have been lost to encroachment.
On Tuesday, February 18 after digging through the thick layers of soil, Bathukamma Kunta Lake began to emerge, reigniting hope for the revival of the once-vital water body. “If all the soil that has been filled over the years is removed, the pond will be filled with water once again,” Hyderabad residents stated.
Telangana High Court warns HYDRAA over GO 99
On February 20, the Telangana High Court said it would shut HYDRAA down if the agency continues to act against Government Order 99.
In 2024, the Telangana government introduced GO 99 which established HYDRAA aiming to protect public assets like lake encroachment and public property in Hyderabad. The government order was created to manage disaster response and protect public property in Hyderabad. However, its implementation has faced legal challenges and controversies lately.
The Telangana High Court criticized HYDRAA for allegedly carrying out demolitions based on personal grievances raised by individuals rather than legal grounds, questioning how rights could be determined solely from documents without proper authority.
During a hearing of a petition filed by A Praveen regarding the demolition of his shed in Muttangi village, Sangareddy district, Justice K Lakshman demanded to know why there had been no change in HYDRAA’s approach despite multiple directives to issue notices and provide adequate time for explanations before proceeding with demolitions.
The petitioner claimed that his structure was demolished without considering the details he submitted regarding his land.
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