Hyderabad’s Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, announced on Monday that the Disaster Management wing will be expanded and renamed as Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). This new department will provide services to 27 Municipalities, corporations, and 33 Gram Panchayats around the GHMC.
During a review meeting at the Secretariat with Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development officials, the Chief Minister decided to assign important responsibilities to the disaster management department within Greater Hyderabad. The department will see systemic changes and responsibilities will be distributed accordingly. The geographical scope of the Disaster Management Department will expand up to the Outer Ring Road. A DIG-level officer will lead the department with SP level officers as additional directors. Special teams from various departments will also be appointed.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the restructured disaster management department should provide continuous services to the city’s residents beyond just floods and accidents. HYDRA will actively address all problems faced by the people in Hyderabad, including protecting lakes, ponds, canals, and government properties from encroachment. The department will also handle hoardings, flexi control, water pipelines, power supply lines, flood management, and traffic control.
Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari has been tasked with preparing a draft on the reorganization, personnel, duties, allocation of funds, and responsibilities of the newly expanded department. Additionally, the Chief Minister urged officials to expedite the Musi River Development Project in line with the government’s goal of making Hyderabad an internationally renowned city. Measures are also being taken to restore buildings of historical significance and dilapidated structures in Hyderabad.
