Hyderabad Forum Advocates for Expansion of Disaster Response Agency Across Telangana
The Forum for Good Governance (FFGG) has recommended that the Congress-led Telangana government broaden the scope of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) and establish a similar body for the entire state. The FFGG, which has a longstanding record of advocating against corruption and administrative malfeasance, made this proposal with a focus on protecting the interests of economically disadvantaged communities.
In a formal letter addressed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, FFGG suggested the creation of the Telangana Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (TGDRAA) through legislative action to provide the agency with legal status. FFGG General Secretary Padmanabh Reddy emphasized the demand from various districts, particularly Warangal, which has suffered significantly due to encroachments on tanks and nalas. “The positive outcomes of HYDRA’s efforts have generated considerable interest in replicating this model across the state,” Reddy stated.
FFGG commended the Telangana government’s initiative in setting up HYDRA to safeguard government assets and water bodies within Hyderabad. However, the organization highlighted issues faced by flat purchasers, particularly those who have been sold properties in Full Tank Level (FTL) or Buffer Zones, often by builders who have exploited regulatory gaps. “Unsuspecting buyers, largely from lower-middle and middle-class backgrounds, are left vulnerable when these structures are demolished,” the letter read.
FFGG recommended that in instances where demolition occurs, builders should be held accountable, and their assets should be seized. Furthermore, the organization proposed compensation or alternative housing solutions for affected individuals, such as the provision of Indiramma Houses. They also stressed the necessity for government agencies to verify land ownership before approving construction plans. Specifically, the Telangana irrigation department should disclose information regarding FTL and buffer zone areas to registration authorities like the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The Forum also called for accountability measures against officials who fail in their duties or engage in corrupt practices, contributing to significant hardships for property buyers. “HYDRA’s current operations, which focus primarily on clearing encroachments, should be expanded to include the removal of construction material and silt from tank beds post-demolition,” FFGG added.
Since its inception, HYDRA has made notable strides, reclaiming 43.94 acres of encroached land within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits over a span of three months. HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath reported that the agency’s enforcement teams have demolished 18 properties within this area, including structures linked to political figures and business leaders. Notable demolitions include the property of Pallam Anand, sibling of Congress leader Pallam Raju, whose alleged illegal structure in the ORO Sports Complex was dismantled.
The FFGG’s recommendations underscore a growing concern for equitable governance and the protection of vulnerable populations, advocating for systemic reforms that extend beyond Hyderabad to benefit the broader state of Telangana.
