The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection Agency (HYDRA) officials on Saturday carried out a demolition drive at Appacheurvu in Gaganpahad, targeting industrial sheds and constructions allegedly encroaching on the Full Tank Level (FTL) of the lake. Among the demolished structures were those belonging to Mailardevapally BJP Corporator Thokala Srinivas Reddy.Hydraa Commissioner A.V. Ranganath stated that the lake, originally spanning 34 acres, has shrunk to just 10-12 acres due to encroachments over the years. The area had previously witnessed significant loss of life and property during the Hyderabad floods in October 2020, particularly on the 13th.Lubna Sarwat, a lake activist, pointed out that the laying of a road through the lake and encroachments have exacerbated flooding issues in the area.BJP Corporator Thokala Srinivas Reddy, who confirmed that some of the demolished structures belonged to him, claimed that the land had been in his family since the 1980s. He asserted that it was patta land and expressed frustration over the lack of notice and time to respond before the demolition. Reddy mentioned that a writ petition is pending in the High Court, questioning the legality of the demolition without due process.“Officials are claiming that three to four acres of the land fall within the FTL. How can they demolish running industries without notice?” he questioned, highlighting the presence of small-scale industrial units with machinery on the land.