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The Chief Minister of Telangana, A Revanth Reddy, has declared a zero-tolerance policy towards encroachments on water bodies in Hyderabad, emphasizing the commitment of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) to their protection. The drive to remove encroachments will be conducted with utmost seriousness, despite potential pressure from various quarters. The CM highlighted that saving water bodies is a top priority for the Congress government and HYDRAA will prioritize the removal of encroachments starting with the full tank level (FTL) of drinking water bodies, followed by buffer zones, nalas, parks, and encroachments on government and private land.
The government has made it clear that even educational institutions will not be exempt from the demolition drive, although they will be given time until the end of the academic year, keeping the students' future in mind. Any illegal construction under the guise of educational institutions will not be tolerated. The action will be strictly guided by the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal guidelines under GO 111, and will be implemented without political bias. The first property to be demolished was that of former Union minister Pallam Raju, a member of the Congress party itself, demonstrating the government's commitment to impartiality.
The government has also expressed its disapproval of celebrities and political leaders who release sewage into water bodies used for drinking. This practice is deemed unacceptable and will not be tolerated, regardless of the location. To further strengthen transparency and address concerns, the government has proposed the formation of a fact-finding committee to identify encroachments. The CM has invited BRS MLA T Harish Rao, who served as irrigation minister and implemented Mission Kakatiya during the BRS regime, to lead this committee, believing his expertise in water bodies will contribute to a fair assessment. This step is intended to demonstrate transparency and ensure accountability in the demolition drive.