Bhatti, Jupally defend HYDRAA demolition drive in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and excise minister Jupally Krishna Rao defended the ongoing demolition of illegal structures by the Hyderabad Urban Development and Regulatory Authority (HYDRAA) in Hyderabad. The ministers emphasised that it was the state government's responsibility to protect lakes and government land, which they claimed were indiscriminately encroached upon during the previous BRS regime.

Addressing the media in Delhi on Saturday, Bhatti justified the demolition of N-Convention, a controversial structure built on encroached lake land. "The essence of Hyderabad lies in its lakes and rocks, which are an integral part of the city's natural heritage," Bhatti said. He highlighted that environmentalists have long raised concerns about the need to protect these natural features from rampant encroachment.

Bhatti explained that HYDRAA was established specifically to prevent encroachments on ponds and lakes, and the authority's actions are aligned with the state's commitment to environmental conservation. "Constructions that encroach on ponds are causing severe problems. We are using satellite photos to identify the extent of encroachments over the past decade, both before and after the state's bifurcation," Bhatti added.

He assured the public that all actions taken by HYDRAA were lawful and that notices were issued before demolition began. "Hard structures built directly in the ponds, not just in the buffer zones, are being demolished," he stated, emphasising that the government would make all data and calculations regarding these encroachments available to the public.

Excise minister Krishna Rao said it was the government's responsibility to protect public property. "The property of the government is the property of the people. It is our duty to safeguard it for future generations," Krishna Rao said, adding that the encroachments occurred due to the negligence and mistakes of the previous BRS government.

Krishna Rao stated that the government had given full autonomy to officials to carry out their duties in reclaiming encroached land. "The actions taken by those who occupied government properties are wrong, and the government is committed to rectifying these mistakes. The ongoing demolitions are a necessary step to ensure that government lands are preserved for the benefit of the public," he remarked.