Bhongir MP Defends HYDRAA, Appeals to High Court To Consider Larger Public Interest

Hyderabad: Bhongir MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday made a strong appeal for the continuation of HYDRAA, asserting that Hyderabad cannot afford to compromise an institution that has actively protected public assets and reclaimed encroached government lands.

Reacting to reports regarding the High Court’s directives concerning the HYDRAA Commissioner, the MP urged the judiciary to evaluate the situation through the lens of larger public interest. He emphasized that the agency has become indispensable for the sustainable growth and future of the capital region.

Highlighting the agency's track record, the MP stated that HYDRAA has successfully reclaimed and safeguarded numerous lakes, ponds, storm-water drains, parks, roads, and public layouts that had fallen prey to illegal encroachments over the years. He noted that the body has significantly streamlined inter-departmental coordination among the Municipal Administration, Police, and Revenue sectors, bringing unprecedented efficiency to enforcement drives across the city.

Acknowledging the distress faced by unsuspecting home and plot buyers who were misled by predatory real estate operators, Reddy argued that public policy must prioritize the broader interests of Hyderabad's citizenry. He claimed HYDRAA’s stern actions have effectively protected government properties valued at over Rs 1.5 lakh crore, marking it as one of the most formidable anti-encroachment initiatives in the state's history.

Commending HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath for operating without yielding to political pressure, the MP alleged that vested interests and land mafias were behind the legal and political resistance against the officer. He warned that removing a dedicated head at this stage would send the wrong signal and embolden illegal encroachments.

Terming HYDRAA a visionary initiative of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the Congress MP called upon citizens, civil society groups, and NGOs to actively voice their support for the agency and judge its performance based on its long-term benefits to the urban landscape.