HYDERABAD: In an attempt to fast track its crackdown against encroachments, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRAA) requested the state government to sanction an additional 3,500 employees, ahead of its jurisdiction getting widened to 2,500 square km compared to the current 2,000 square km.
After these two policy actions, the HYDRAA officials aim to initiate action against illegal structures that have come up in the GO 111 area, which presently do not come under HYDRAA’s jurisdiction.
“After playing the victim card, the encroachers have politicised the issue. With both these attempts failing, they are now relying on HYDRAA’s jurisdiction. The illusion that the GO 111 area is a safe haven for illegal buildings will be proven false soon,” said an official from HYDRAA. He also said that these areas will also see a significant improvement in disaster management.
The senior official further said that the focus will be laid on the future course of action among the three exclusive HYDRAA police stations. Another HYDRAA police station is likely to be set up in the GO 111 area.
Presently, the HYDRAA is coordinating with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) to check the extent to which the lakes have shrunk. As per the HYDRAA data, between 1979 and 2024, the extent of lakes in the city has reduced by 61 per cent and there are 185 lakes within GHMC limits and 400 lakes within Outer Ring Road (ORR) jurisdiction.
