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The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) conducted a demolition drive at Appacheruvu in Gaganpahad, targeting structures built within the full tank level (FTL) of the lake. The operation targeted industrial sheds, including those belonging to BJP corporator Thokala Srinivas Reddy. This action comes as part of HYDRAA's ongoing efforts to reclaim encroached lake areas and improve stormwater management.
HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath highlighted the alarming shrinkage of the lake from its original 34 acres to a mere 10-12 acres due to unchecked encroachments. The commissioner emphasized the disastrous consequences of the lake's degradation, particularly during the Hyderabad floods of October 2020, which resulted in significant loss of life and property. Lake activist Lubna Sarwat echoed the commissioner's concerns, stating that the construction of a road through the lake, coupled with rampant encroachments, has only exacerbated flooding issues in the region.
BJP corporator Thokala Srinivas Reddy confirmed the demolition of some of his structures, claiming that the land had been in his family's possession since the 1980s and was patta land. Reddy expressed strong disapproval of the authorities' actions, criticizing their failure to issue a notice or provide an opportunity to respond before the demolitions commenced. He questioned the fairness of the process, arguing that the authorities were claiming that three to four acres of his land fell within the FTL, and he highlighted the presence of small-scale industrial units and machinery that were damaged during the demolition. However, Ranganath clarified that HYDRAA does not issue notices as it lacks the legal authority to do so. Reddy revealed that a writ petition challenging the legality of the demolition drive is pending in the high court.
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle to protect and restore lakes in Hyderabad, which are crucial for the city's water security and flood management. The conflict between the authorities' efforts to reclaim encroached lands and the claims of landowners, as evidenced by the case of Thokala Srinivas Reddy, presents a complex challenge. The outcome of the legal proceedings and the government's response to the concerns raised by Reddy will be crucial in determining the future of Appacheruvu lake and the broader issue of land reclamation in Hyderabad.
Source: HYDRAA: HYDRAA Demolishes BJP Corporator’s Sheds at Appacheruvu FTL