The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), established by the Revanth Reddy government in Telangana to demolish illegal constructions in full-tank-level (FTL) and buffer zones of lakes and nalas, has become a significant challenge for the chief minister.
Initially, there was widespread appreciation for Revanth’s bold move in targeting illegal structures belonging to prominent individuals, such as Akkineni Nagarjuna’s N-Convention Centre, former Union minister M.M. Pallam Raju’s commercial complex, and bungalows of AIMIM leaders in the old city.
However, when HYDRAA began removing encroachments belonging to poor and middle-class individuals who had built homes on nalas and tank beds, public sentiment quickly turned against the chief minister.
Many people were understandably frustrated, having bought flats and houses with their hard-earned money, unaware that these structures were built on FTL or buffer zones.
Adding to the controversy, HYDRAA appeared to go slow on actions involving the properties of influential people, issuing only notices without taking further steps. This was evident in cases like the bungalow of Revanth’s own brother, Tirupathi Reddy, and other high-profile figures with properties in the FTL limits of Durgam Cheruvu, as well as Jayabheri Constructions owned by actor Murali Mohan.
Under growing pressure, HYDRAA Commissioner and senior IPS officer A.V. Ranganath issued a statement clarifying that only houses under construction and not yet occupied would be demolished.
This raised questions: Why had HYDRAA issued notices to already-built homes, asking owners to demolish them, and why had the N-Convention Centre, which was already constructed, been demolished?
Ranganath further shifted the responsibility to Revanth Reddy, stating that the government would need to make a policy decision regarding the flats and residential complexes already built and occupied by middle-class people.
The situation has created confusion. The government cannot simply halt HYDRAA’s demolition efforts, but at the same time, selectively demolishing properties has caused public discontent. If Revanth decides to demolish all illegal constructions, a significant portion of Hyderabad would be affected, as many buildings are located on lake beds or buffer zones.
This has also led to a decline in property sales, as buyers hesitate to invest in under-construction flats and high-rise apartments. The resulting drop in registrations has reduced revenue for the state through stamps and registration fees.
As CPI leader K. Narayana aptly said, Revanth is "riding a tiger." If he gets off, the tiger will attack him, but if he stays on, the threat continues to loom.
