HYDRA to protect Hyderabad from disasters and encroachments

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HYDERABAD, Telangana: With the expansion of Greater Hyderabad up to the ring road areas, a new body, Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA) will be formed to manage 2000 sq km of area in Hyderabad. The state government is also planning to transfer some of the powers of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to this new body.

Once formed, HYDRA will have the power to remove illegal hoardings and banners and collect penalties. The Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, spoke with officials and told them that HYDRA should be developed as a strong system to tackle disasters and encroachments. They should also consider special allocations to HYDRA if necessary and complete the modalities of forming the new body before the assembly session commences.

In a review meeting, CM suggested that HYDRA should also manage the outer ring road area. The CM also wants to confer the responsibility of the area of about 27 civic bodies and 33 village panchayats HYDRA. Hydra will have a specially deputed team of GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Area (HMDA), Hyderabad Water Supply and Sewerage Board, city traffic police, and other state departments.

This will not be a one-time body constituted to tackle only floods and other disasters. It will also work to protect the lakes, ponds, water bodies, and government lands from encroachment.

CM also suggested that a study be conducted to ascertain the encroachment of nalas, ponds, and government lands and to frame stringent rules to curb this practice.