HYDRAA Not Just To Raze: CM Revanth Reddy

HYDRAA was not just about demolitions, it was about protecting lakes, ensuring clean roads, restoring electricity, streamlining traffic during rains, and saving the city from disaster, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday. He explained that the government had created HYDRAA to life to restore the city’s ecological and environmental heritage. He was speaking after inaugurating the police station of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), at Buddha Bhavan in Secunderabad. 

Present at the event were HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath, Rajya Sabha MP Anil Kumar Yadav, Metropolitan Area & Urban Development (MA&UD) secretary K. Ilambarithi, special chief secretary Ravi Gupta, MLC Addanki Dayakar.

The Chief Minister said that Hyderabad had faced disasters before, and ignoring nature could lead to catastrophes. “The 1908 floods moved the Nizam government into action. It was then that Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya helped build Osmansagar and Himayatsagar. That vision protected the city,” he said. He warned that ignoring nature had resulted in cities like Bengaluru facing drinking water problems, and Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi experiencing floods and natural calamities. “If we don’t act



now, Hyderabad will face the same fate,” Revanth Reddy said.

“HYDRAA was launched with the goal of clearing illegal encroachments on lakes, nalas and roads, and to restore the city’s natural water flow. Even a short spell of rain floods entire colonies. If lakes and drains are blocked, where will the water go,” he asked. Revanth Reddy criticised those opposing HYDRAA’s works towards cleaning up lakes and clearing encroachments. “Some are angry only because they have encroached on lakes and nalas. Some say real estate will collapse. Why are they upset when we speak of protecting nature,” the Chief Minister asked.

When the BJP government restored rivers like the Sabarmati and the Ganga, it was fine. But, when we try to revive Musi, they object. If you have a problem with me, target me. But don’t block efforts that help the people”, he said. The CM urged HYDRAA officers to act strictly against rich violators, but show humanity and offer alternative arrangements to poor families affected by eviction. He also waved off 122 HYDRAA vehicles, including 21 DRF trucks, 59 cars, give mini buses and 37 two-wheelers. The HYDRAA is to use these vehicles for its disaster response.