Hyderabad: Support for Demolition of Illegal Structures Grows
In Hyderabad, the ongoing demolition of illegal structures in the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones of lakes and other water bodies is gaining support from the general public. Despite opposition from various political parties, many people are backing the government’s efforts to clear these encroachments.
The Chief Minister’s Office has been receiving numerous requests from Congress legislators and others to create HYDRA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection) wings in different Assembly constituencies. Even the Communist Party of India (CPI) has shown support for this initiative. CPI National Secretary, K Narayana, emphasized that the drive against illegal structures should be carried out without considering the political affiliations of those involved.
Narayana visited the demolished ‘N’ Convention Centre, owned by actor Nagarjuna, and other illegal structures in the Old City. He urged the government to continue the demolition drive even if it affects properties owned by leaders of the AIMIM party. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi, concerned that educational institutions set up by his party might be targeted, argued that the government should not be selective. He stated that if the government is serious about removing encroachments, they should also demolish structures like the GHMC head office and the state Secretariat.
Government Whip and Vemulawada MLA Adi Srinivas wrote a letter to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, requesting the creation of a HYDRA-like body for the demolition of illegal structures on government lands near lakes and ponds in Vemulawada – Sircilla district. He accused a BRS leader and former MLA of Vemulawada of constructing houses in the FTL area of a lake.
Similar complaints have been raised by other leaders, including MLC T Jeevan Reddy and Dharmapuri MLA Adluri Lakshman, who claimed that lakes and ponds in Karimnagar had been encroached upon. Additionally, MLA Vemula Veeresham Nakrekal from the old Nalgonda district, Alair MLA B Ilaiah, Manakonduru MLA K Satyanarayana, and Chevella Congress MLA K Yadaiah have also lodged complaints about illegal encroachments in their respective areas.
