HYDRA Resumes Demolition of Illegal Structures in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Agency (HYDRA) resumed its demolition operations in Greater Hyderabad on Sunday. This comes after a two-week break, with the agency focusing on removing unauthorized constructions in the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones of Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally. Additionally, illegal structures on government land in Kistareddypet and Patelguda, under the Ameenpur Municipality in Sangareddy District, were also demolished.
The demolition process began early in the morning, with the support of heavy police presence to ensure order and prevent any interference from those affected by the operation. The police were there to make sure the process went smoothly without any disruptions.
According to HYDRA, the demolitions took place at Nalla Cheruvu (a lake) in Kukatpally, as well as at Kistareddypet and Patelguda on government land. Temporary sheds used for commercial activities were taken down in the FTL and buffer zones of Nalla Cheruvu. The lake area covers a total of 27 acres, and reports showed that 7 acres had been encroached upon.
In Kukatpally Village, Balanagar Mandal, HYDRA teams demolished 16 structures, including commercial sheds and compound walls in Survey Numbers 66, 67, 68, and 69. Residential buildings were excluded from this demolition. HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath explained that large sheds were constructed along the lake’s boundary for commercial use, including catering businesses that operated full kitchens and housed workers on-site. Following the demolition, HYDRA reclaimed four acres of land around the lake.
Commissioner Ranganath emphasized that the demolished structures were primarily used for business purposes and were not residential. He assured that HYDRA would not target buildings being used as homes.
In Ameenpur Municipality, HYDRA reclaimed four acres of land in Kistareddypet and Patelguda. The team discovered that villas and apartments had been constructed illegally on government land. After the demolitions, one acre of land in Kistareddypet was recovered. A three-story commercial building was also demolished in Survey No. 164 of Kistareddypet.
In Patelguda, HYDRA recovered three acres of land after demolishing 25 structures located in Survey Nos. 12/2 and 12/3.
While the operation was underway, several residents expressed frustration and anger over the demolition drive. Police restricted access to the area, preventing people from getting closer than 500 meters to the demolition site. Some residents complained that they were not given enough time to evacuate their homes or collect their belongings.
One resident shared, “I have been living here for a decade, and they demolished my house without giving any notice. My wife is seven months pregnant; where should we go now?” Another resident added, “We didn’t know the land was government property. HYDRA has demolished our home, but they should have given us time to move.”
It was also reported that some of the demolished structures were linked to BRS leader Thota Chandrasekhar.
