HYDRAA has launched an advanced surveillance system to protect lakes across Hyderabad from illegal encroachments and unauthorized filling activities. The agency inaugurated a comprehensive CCTV camera network on Monday, with Commissioner AV Ranganath formally launching the monitoring system. The initiative aims to establish continuous surveillance of water bodies that have been under threat from encroachers attempting to fill them with soil and construction debris.
The surveillance infrastructure includes 900 CCTV cameras strategically positioned near lakes throughout the city. These cameras have been directly connected to servers at the HYDRAA office, enabling real-time monitoring of activities around the water bodies. Officials can now track any suspicious movements or illegal dumping attempts from their control room, ensuring immediate response to potential violations.
The newly installed cameras complement the existing Lake Protection Teams already deployed on the ground. The integrated system allows HYDRAA officials to detect when construction waste is being dumped or when attempts are made to fill lakes with soil. Upon identifying such activities through the camera feed, the control room can immediately alert field teams and obtain vehicle details of those involved in illegal operations.
The surveillance network has been further strengthened by linking the CCTV cameras to monitors at the Integrated Command Control Room in Banjara Hills. This dual-monitoring setup creates a more robust oversight mechanism, making it difficult for encroachers to operate undetected. The system enables authorities to maintain round-the-clock vigilance over vulnerable lake areas that have historically faced encroachment pressures.
Along with Commissioner AV Ranganath, senior officials including Additional Secretary Varla Papayya and Additional Commissioner R Sudarshan participated in the inauguration ceremony of the CCTV surveillance system. The presence of multiple high-ranking officials underscored the importance HYDRAA places on lake protection and environmental conservation efforts in the city.
Commissioner AV Ranganath stated that the surveillance will be even more robust with the new system in place. The continuous monitoring capability from the HYDRAA control room represents a significant upgrade in the agency’s ability to prevent illegal activities around lakes and take immediate action against violators attempting to encroach upon these vital water bodies.
