Hyderabad: In a determined effort to protect lake beds and water bodies, the Congress government in Greater Hyderabad, under the leadership of Revanth Reddy, has established the Hyderabad Disaster Relief and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). This agency is tasked with demolishing all structures illegally encroaching on these vital areas.
HYDRAA has quickly become a powerful adversary against land grabbers, realtors, builders, and even influential politicians, creating widespread anxiety with its unwavering crackdown on illegal constructions. Notably, even prominent figures like Tollywood actor Nagarjuna and former IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao have not been exempted from HYDRAA’s stringent actions.
Over the past two weeks, HYDRAA has embarked on an extensive demolition drive, targeting unauthorized buildings erected in Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones of water bodies within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. Armed with bulldozers and heavy-duty machinery, the agency has demolished numerous structures, sending shockwaves through the community of encroachers, who now live in constant fear of their properties being next on HYDRAA’s hit list.
More than 50 illegal structures have already been razed, including buildings in Osman Sagar (40), Chilkur in Moinabad (7), Chanda Nagar in Serilingampally (3), Errakunta Cheruvu in Bachupally (3), Devendra Nagar in Gajularamaram (3), and Bum-Rukn-ud-Dowla lake near Shivrampally. These demolitions are being executed without prior notice, heightening the anxiety among encroachers, builders, and politicians who are left wondering whose properties will be targeted next.
Before initiating the demolitions, HYDRAA ensures thorough verification of records for unauthorized constructions. Once identified, teams equipped with men, machinery, and police personnel swoop in during the early morning hours to dismantle the illegal structures. The agency is also vigilant in monitoring unauthorized constructions in parks, layouts, open spaces, playgrounds, nalas, and other land parcels.
On average, HYDRAA receives 50-100 complaints daily from the public, which are meticulously verified before action is taken. The agency’s primary focus is on removing encroachments around tanks within the ORR limits. According to data from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Balanagar, the extent of water bodies in and around Hyderabad has decreased by 61 percent over the past 45 years (1979-2024). With 185 lakes within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits and 400 within the ORR limits, the agency’s task is monumental.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy established HYDRAA as part of the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR) initiative, aimed at disaster management and asset protection. The agency’s mandate includes safeguarding government and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) assets such as parks, layouts, open spaces, playgrounds, lakes, nalas, land parcels, roads, carriageways, and footpaths from encroachments. The removal of lake encroachments is carried out in coordination with GHMC and local authorities.
The public has widely appreciated the state government on social media for its efforts in protecting and restoring lakes, nalas, and other natural resources. Many believe that if HYDRAA continues its work without political interference, the people of Telangana will be deeply grateful to the Chief Minister.
HYDRAA’s approach is systematic and phased. In Phase-I, the agency will halt further encroachments of water bodies and government lands. Phase-II will see the demolition of structures in FTL and buffer zones, while Phase-III will focus on reviving and beautifying lakes through desilting and repairing lake chain links to ensure the uninterrupted flow of water between lakes.
With a budget of ₹200 crore, HYDRAA is also set to establish a dedicated police station to expedite its operations. However, the agency’s actions have not been without controversy. The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) has criticized HYDRAA for allegedly failing to take action against encroachments by Congress legislators. BRS spokesperson Krishank Manne highlighted several properties owned by Congress leaders that he claims have been overlooked by HYDRAA, questioning the agency’s impartiality.
One of the most high-profile targets of HYDRAA’s demolition campaign was the N-Convention Centre near Hitech City in Madhapur, owned by Tollywood actor Akkineni Nagarjuna. Allegations have long surrounded the convention centre, which was reportedly built by encroaching on 3.30 to 3.40 acres of the Thammidi Kunta lake’s FTL. The controversial structure, used for high-profile events, was partially demolished by HYDRAA early on a Saturday morning, with police personnel blocking all access roads and restricting media coverage.
A survey conducted by joint teams from Revenue, Irrigation, and GHMC had earlier concluded that out of the 6.69 acres on which the convention centre was built, about 3.30 acres had been encroached upon, including 2 acres in the buffer zone and 1.3 acres in the FTL level of the lake. The agency’s decisive action against such high-profile encroachments signals its unwavering commitment to restoring and protecting Hyderabad’s natural resources.
