.
*Hyderabad, September 13, 2024*: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has achieved a major milestone by protecting 111.72 acres of land and removing 262 illegal structures across 23 areas in lakes, parks, and government properties. The operations, spanning 74 days, were announced by HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath.HYDRAA’s first significant action under Commissioner Ranganath’s leadership was the removal of encroachments in the Lotus Pond area of Film Nagar Cooperative Society. The operation on June 27 led to the removal of 16 illegally occupied plots within the park area, setting the tone for further actions across the city.**Extended Jurisdiction and Focus on Parks and Lakes**On July 19, the Telangana government expanded HYDRAA’s jurisdiction beyond the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits to the Outer Ring Road (ORR), empowering the agency to tackle encroachments up to the ORR.Following this, HYDRAA demolished a G+2 structure illegally constructed on park land in Mahadevappuram, Gajularamaram, on July 21. In subsequent operations, five structures within the buffer zone of Pariki Lake were demolished to safeguard water resources. So far, HYDRAA has cleared five parks, two canals, and several government lands.**Major Operations in Chintal and Ameenpur Ponds**The largest encroachments were uncovered in Chintal and Ameenpur ponds. At Chintal pond, 54 illegal sheds were built by a local leader, while Ameenpur lake saw 51.78 acres of encroachments, including 20 compound walls and four sheds constructed within the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones. HYDRAA’s operations on August 6 and 8 resulted in the removal of 79 illegal structures from these areas.**Razing High-Profile Encroachments**HYDRAA has also taken down high-profile illegal constructions, including structures belonging to former MLA Katasani Rambhupal Reddy in the buffer zone of Pedda Cheruvu in Aminpur. The agency demolished 24 structures across 51.78 acres, including small rooms, sheds, and multi-story buildings.One of the most notable actions was the demolition of actor Nagarjuna’s N Convention Hall in Tummidikunta, along with illegal structures in Gandipet, Rajendranagar, Errakunta, and Chintal Cheruvu.HYDRAA’s operations reflect its commitment to protecting Hyderabad’s public spaces and water bodies from illegal encroachments, with plans to continue its efforts across the city.