CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
Task force team nab habitual housebreaker, recover gold and silver ornaments
HYDERABAD: The Commissioners Task Force, South-East Zone Task Force Team, along with Bandlaguda Police, apprehended a habitual housebreaker on Tuesday. The accused, Mohammed Saleem, alias Sunil Shetty, had committed 10 housebreaking offenses by night in the Rachakonda and Hyderabad Commissionerates. Task force authorities have recovered 292 grams of gold ornaments and 1,090 grams of silver ornaments worth approximately Rs. 22 lakhs.
Mohammed Saleem, aged 51, lives in Ismail Nagar, Bandlaguda in Hyderabad. Saleem works as a wall painter and vegetable vendor. Saleem has a long criminal history, having been involved in 150 housebreaking cases since 1992. In last year May Falaknuma Police arrested him, but he was released from jail in last December. After his release, he resumed committing housebreaking offenses in the Chandrayangutta, Bandlaguda, and Balapur Police Station limits.
Arrest and recovery details
The South-East Zone Task Force Team, in coordination with Bandlaguda Police, acted on credible information to apprehend Saleem. During interrogation, Saleem confessed to committing 10 housebreaking offenses. These offenses were registered at several police stations include Balapur, Chandrayangutta, and Bandlaguda Police Stations under sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code.
Saleem identified locked houses while selling vegetables on the streets and targeted them during late-night hours. He broke locks and latches using cutting pliers and a screwdriver, tools he kept with him for committing thefts. After committing the crimes, Saleem returned to his residence with the stolen property, which he later disposed of to fund his lavish lifestyle.
The police seized 292 grams of gold ornaments and 1,090 grams of silver ornaments from Saleem, valued at approximately Rs. 22 lakhs.
The arrest was made under the supervision of Sri Ande Srinivasa Rao, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Task Force, Hyderabad. The operation was led by Inspector of Police, South-East Zone Task Force, Sri D. Venkat Reddy, along with SIs Sri Sk. Kaviuddin, P. Sairam, C. Raghavendra Reddy, and PC Sri Nayeem Khan, and the team from South-East Zone Task Force and Bandlaguda Police.
This successful operation highlights the continued efforts of the Hyderabad police to combat property crimes and bring habitual offenders to justice.
