Hyderabad: Marking two years since its establishment, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) highlighted its achievements in protecting government land, restoring lakes, and strengthening Hyderabad’s flood management infrastructure.
Established on July 19, 2024, by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, HYDRAA was created to tackle urban flooding, protect public assets, restore water bodies, and curb illegal encroachments across Hyderabad.
According to official figures, HYDRAA has reclaimed 3,325 acres of government land from encroachers, with an estimated value of ₹1.50 lakh crore. The agency stated that this includes 2,665 acres of government land, 454.11 acres of lake encroachments, 90.39 acres of park land, 25.37 acres of nala encroachments, 62.18 acres of roads and footpaths, and 26.31 acres reserved for public purposes.
HYDRAA has also focused on restoring Hyderabad’s historic chain-of-lakes system to improve natural drainage, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, and enhance the city’s ecological balance. Six lakes have already been restored, while restoration work on another 14 lakes is currently underway. Additionally, four major lakes are being developed as “Mini Tank Bunds” to improve public spaces and flood resilience.
The agency said several chronic flooding hotspots, including Ameerpet Metro Station, Krishna Nagar, Patny Nala, Sriram Nagar, Khajaguda, and Miyapur, have witnessed significant flood mitigation after desilting drains, widening nalas, and restoring lake inlets and outlets.
HYDRAA also reported protecting hundreds of acres of government land in areas including Ameenpur, Gajularamaram, Kondapur, Peerzadiguda, Secunderabad Cantonment, Bahadurguda, and Raidurg, where illegal encroachments were removed and land secured through fencing for future public infrastructure projects.
Officials said the agency’s long-term vision is to create a flood-resilient, environmentally sustainable Hyderabad by preserving lakes, restoring waterways, increasing green spaces, and ensuring public lands remain protected for future generations.