The Telangana Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy, may have good intentions behind his push to save water bodies, particularly around the Greater Hyderabad region. His government’s creation of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA), a new body headed by an IPS officer to demolish so-called illegal structures on lake beds, might seem commendable at first glance. However, the manner in which this initiative is being executed reeks of recklessness and a lack of foresight. Most of these so-called “illegal” structures have been standing for over a decade. Many homeowners have built these houses using their life savings, often taking out bank loans and following proper procedures by securing clearances from local authorities such as panchayats or municipalities. They’ve been paying property taxes like any other law-abiding citizen. Yet, Revanth Reddy’s government, without a second thought, has decided to launch a full-scale demolition drive, uprooting people’s lives in the name of environmental conservation. This approach is not only ill-considered but also dangerously authoritarian. Instead of conducting a thorough investigation into the legal status of these areas and the homes built on them, Revanth Reddy’s government rushed into forming HYDRA and tasked it with carrying out a drastic demolition drive. This haste has come back to haunt them, as the judiciary has now stepped in. In a scathing rebuke, a High Court judge presiding over several petitions filed by affected homeowners lambasted the HYDRA chief, Rangantha, for violating court orders. The judge was rightfully incensed, questioning how such demolitions could take place while cases were still pending. The irony of demolishing homes on a Sunday, with complete disregard for due process, speaks volumes about the arrogance of the administration.
One of the most glaring issues here is the government’s lack of homework. Had they conducted a proper survey of how many illegal structures actually existed and cross-verified the legitimacy of these homes, the current debacle could have been avoided. The judge even cited the case of Ibrahimpatnam lake, a vast body of water now dried up due to poor governance over the years, further highlighting the ineptitude of the state’s environmental planning. Public outrage has understandably surged. Those who have received demolition notices are standing firm, calling out the Chief Minister’s hypocrisy. “We’ve paid all our taxes and followed the required procedures,” many argue. “How dare they now turn around and say our homes are illegal?” Their frustration and anger have boiled over in local TV interviews, with some using language too strong for public airing. These videos have since gone viral on social media, and the Revanth Reddy cabinet is feeling the heat. Sensing the public fury, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reportedly intervened to halt HYDRA’s operations. But the damage is done. Even the High Court has issued a stay on HYDRA’s actions in certain areas, making it clear that the government’s rash decision-making has landed them in an embarrassing situation. This entire episode serves as a cautionary tale of governance without thought. Revanth Reddy, in his zeal to create a legacy, has overreached, disregarding the basic principles of justice and fairness. Instead of taking a measured, lawful approach, he has gambled with people’s lives, and now, he is reaping the consequences.
