K M Dayashankar
More powers to HYDRAA for the protection of lakes, parks, canals and government lands
Conservation of Gandipet and Himayat Sagar lakes will also be brought under the purview of HYDRAA
HYDERABAD, AUGUST 29, 2024: Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari on Thursday held a high-level meeting to formulate a comprehensive action plan on the orders issued by the State High Court during the last few days on the removal of encroachments on ponds and preservation of government property.
She said that guidelines are being readied to fully hand over the responsibilities of the protection of all the lakes, parks, canals and all government places under the ORR to HYDRAA. The meeting discussed the measures to hand over more powers and personnel to HYDRAA for the protection of government sites, lakes and government property.
DG Intelligence Shivadhar Reddy, Additional DG Law and Order Mahesh Bhagwat, Principal Secretary Municipal Administration Department Dana Kishore, Secretary Irrigation Department Rahul Bojja, HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed, Additional Advocate General Rajinikanth Reddy, ACB Director Tarun Joshi, Hyderabad Collector Anudeep, Rangareddy Collector Shashanka, Medchal Malkajigiri Collector Gowtham Potru and Sangareddy Collector Valluru Kranti participated in this meeting.
The CS said that at present the Irrigation Department, GHMC, Municipal Administration Department, Panchayat Raj, WALTA and other departments are issuing different notices regarding the removal of encroachments on ponds, lakes, parks and government places, and this is causing some kind of confusion. To avoid this, the Principal Secretary of the Municipal Department has been directed to finalize procedures for all eviction notices to be issued by HYDRAA within ORR limits.
All notices and evictions issued by GHMC, Land Encroachment Act, Land Grabbing Act, WALTA Act, and Irrigation Department Acts will be completely brought under the jurisdiction of HYDRAA. Additional officers and staff needed by Hydra will be allotted soon, she said and added that FTL, Nala encroachment, government vacant lots and conservation of parks will also be brought under the purview of HYDRA.
Conservation of Gandipet and Himayat Sagar lakes will also be brought under the purview of HYDRAA from the Water Board. Chief Secretary said that 72 teams have been formed under HYDRAA and officers and staff from Police, Survey and Irrigation Departments will be assigned quickly to strengthen them.
