HYDRAA saved govt. land worth thousands of crores and KTR supporting land-grabbers: Congress MP

Congress MP from Bhongir, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, accused BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao of targeting HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency) as illegal constructions in thousands of crores worth government lands, occupied during the BRS regime, were being demolished.

In response to Mr. KTR’s interaction with people whose houses were demolished by HYDRAA, Mr. Reddy said, as per the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, 75% of lakes and nalas in Telangana and Hyderabad have fallen prey to encroachments.

The MP pointed out that Hyderabad once had 600 lakes, of which 44 completely disappeared and 127 were partially encroached during the BRS regime. HYDRAA protected 500 acres of government land, cleared encroachments on 360 lakes, 20 nalas, and 38 public parks. He also mentioned that in Serilingampally and Hafeezpet, HYDRAA fenced 29 acres of government land that had been encroached upon by a builder, who had earlier occupied 39 acres illegally.

“Mr. KTR, who held the Municipal Administration portfolio for a decade, did not take action against encroachments. It was due to the BRS government’s negligence that innocent people fell victim to illegal constructions and flooding,” he argued. But unfortunately, Mr. KTR was trying to portray HYDRAA “as if it was a ghost to scare people,” whereas in reality, it was created by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to protect lakes, nalas and government lands from encroachments.

Mr. Reddy further alleged that during the ten years of BRS rule, permissions were issued indiscriminately and large tracts of government land were encroached upon. He appealed to citizens who have benefited from HYDRA’s work to come forward and share their experiences.