The state government in Hyderabad is determined to move forward with the demolition of illegal structures on lakes and water bodies. To streamline this process, they have decided to strengthen the HYDRA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Authority).
Currently, multiple departments like the Irrigation department, GHMC, Municipal Administration Department, Panchayat Raj, and WALTA are involved in issuing notices to people who have allegedly encroached on ponds, lakes, parks, and government lands. This has created some confusion and is causing delays, as some individuals are challenging these notices in court.
To avoid these issues, the Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration department has been instructed to create a clear procedure for all eviction notices within the ORR limits. From now on, HYDRA will be the sole authority responsible for issuing these notices. This change will unify the efforts of different departments like GHMC, Land Encroachment Act, Land Grabbing Act, WALTA Act, and Irrigation Department under HYDRA’s jurisdiction.
To support this new responsibility, additional officers and staff will be assigned to HYDRA. They will also oversee matters related to FTL, nala encroachment, government vacant plots, and the conservation of parks.
A total of 72 teams have been formed under HYDRA, with officers and staff from the Police, Survey, and Irrigation departments being assigned to boost its strength. The conservation of important lakes like Gandipet and Himayat Sagar will also be transferred to HYDRA from the Water Board.
On Thursday, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari held a high-level meeting to discuss how to further strengthen HYDRA and potentially turn it into an independent body. The meeting was attended by several key officials, including DG Intelligence Shivdhar Reddy, Additional DG Law and Order Mahesh Bhagwat, and others.
This move is expected to speed up the demolition of illegal structures on encroached lakes, water bodies, and government lands. Additionally, the preservation of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar, currently managed by the Hyderabad Water Board, will also be brought under HYDRA’s control.
In a significant step, HYDRA will also be given the power to take disciplinary action against officials who have allowed construction in prohibited areas.
