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Siasat.com/News/Telangana/Revanth Reddy
thinks big: HYDRA-type institutions to be set up in all parts of TS
Revanth Reddy thinks big: HYDRA-type institutions to be
set up in all parts of TS
Hyderabad: HYDRA-type special demolition drive against illegal structures in and around lakes, other water bodies, and nalas in Hyderabad will be carried out across the State.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who undertook a whirlwind
tour of rain/flood hit Khammam district on Tuesday, directed the District
Collectors, revenue, irrigation, police, and other officials to remove all
illegal structures in Full Tank Level (FTL) and Buffer Zones of lake beds and
other water bodies in their respective districts immediately.
Reddy opined that Khammam suffered large-scale damage due to
huge encroachments of water bodies.
“We have set up HYDRA in Hyderabad to remove encroachments
in and around lakes, nalas and other water bodies. Despite huge pressure, I am
carrying out the arduous task. We have to protect our water bodies for future
generations. Due to indifference and neglect in the past, there has been a
large-scale encroachment of lakes in the State. This has to be stopped
forthwith. We will not allow this anymore.” he asserted.
He added, “Some selfish influential people have constructed
farmhouses, occupied lake beds, nalas, and created layouts in FTL and Buffer
Zones. It’s an unpardonable crime. This is causing huge damage to the
environment. Government has the responsibility to save it and it will be done.”
The Chief Minister has created a new Hyderabad Disaster
Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA) and appointed Senior IPS
officer A V Ranganath to clear all encroachments of lakes, other water bodies,
nalas, etc. in and around Hyderabad.
HYDRA was created following regular inundation of low-lying
areas and blocked rivulets, and nalas due to illegal constructions including
farmhouses, houses, commercial establishments, and other structures.
Immediately on appointment, Ranganath and his team carried
out scores of demolitions of illegal structures sending chills down the spines
of encroachers and support from a large section of people, especially those
living in low-lying areas.
“We have seen natural disasters in Uttarakhand, Kerala, and
other places. Remember, when we damage the environment, the environment will
hit us back. I am giving clear instructions to officials. Take up a special
drive to remove all the encroachments on the lines of Hyderabad,” he said.
He added, “Whoever is involved in such illegal
activities…public representatives, others, influential people should
voluntarily surrender it (occupied lands, lakes, etc). It will be respectable
and easy for the government to handle it. If it’s not done, the Government
will take stringent action,” he warned.
Revanth Reddy made it clear that the government is ready to
face any kind of pressure in this drive. “The government will not back down on
this issue. I am instructing the Collectors to make necessary studies and take
action,” he added.
Referring to a complaint from a local MLA over encroachments
of water bodies in Mahabubabad, he directed irrigation agriculture, municipal,
and collectors to follow the HYDRA action plan and implement the same in
Mahabubabad and other places across the State.
CM said Khammam received 42 cm of rain which was a record in
75 years. “Thanks to our foresight and quick action, we could ably prevent
large-scale fatalities. Former Minister Harish Rao is indulging in loose
talk. He should talk about the illegal occupation of lands by BRS leader
Puvvada Ajay Kumar who constructed a hospital on encroached lands. Let him tell
me to remove it.”
He also sought action against officials who supported such
encroachments of lakes,” he warned.
Chief Minister also said that there was a need to focus on
Warangal area too where several parts of town is submerged in waters after
rainfall.
Going by the CM’s tough talk, Telangana State is set to see
a major bulldozer action around lakes and other water bodies in the days to
come!
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