Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) continued its efforts to protect water bodies in and around the city by demolishing illegal structures. On Sunday, HYDRA teams took action against unauthorized constructions in the full tank level (FTL) and buffer zone of Gandipet Lake, located on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
With the support of men and machinery, HYDRA demolished buildings in the Khanapur area that were found to have violated rules and regulations. Two illegal buildings were brought down, despite some local residents protesting against the demolition. Those who protested were arrested.
The demolished structures, including apartments, were not in compliance with the land-use norms near the lake. To ensure the demolition went smoothly, the police made strict security arrangements to handle any potential resistance. This led to some arguments between officials and the building owners.
Earlier, HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath stated that a list of encroachers had been identified. He pointed out that some of these properties belonged to politicians and land grabbers, and that those disposing of waste in dried-up lakes around Hyderabad were on their radar.
Ranganath also mentioned that many constructions had been carried out without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs). He assured the public that HYDRA was specifically targeting the people responsible for enabling these encroachments.
As HYDRA intensifies its efforts to curb illegal activities around lakes, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has announced plans to rejuvenate 47 lakes across six zones. The focus will be on protecting, conserving, and beautifying these lakes.
The rejuvenation project will be divided into three packages. The first package, with a budget of Rs 61.4 crore, will cover seven lakes in the Khairatabad zone. The second package, costing Rs 45.88 crore, will address 26 lakes in the Kukatpally and Serilingampally zones. The third package, with Rs 54.07 crore allocated, will focus on 14 lakes in the LB Nagar, Secunderabad, and Charminar zones.
