HYDRAA: Five senior officials face charges over unauthorised permits
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has filed a formal complaint with Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty against five senior officials for allegedly granting unauthorised construction permits within lakes, ponds, full tank levels, and buffer zones.
HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath took this decisive action based on the evidence, leading to an ongoing investigation by the Cyberabad Police.
In addition to the criminal complaints, Ranganath has recommended disciplinary action against another official implicated in the irregular issuance of permits.
HYDRAA’s investigation has focused on illegal constructions in areas such as Nizampet and Chandanagar, where permits were issued in blatant disregard of Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone regulations.
According to the reports, the implicated officials are from the Revenue Department, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).
A notable case involves illegal encroachments around Erra Kunta Lake in Chandanagar and Pragathinagar. However, HYDRAA has identified five senior government officials who facilitated these unauthorised constructions within the pond’s buffer zone.
It was earlier reported this month, HYDRAA took action by demolishing three illegally constructed buildings within the buffer zone of Erra Kunta Pond, under the Nizampet Municipal Corporation. The structures, which were ground-plus-five floors, occupied 0.29 acres of encroached land.
On August 30, 2024, responding to complaints from local residents, HYDRAA conducted a major demolition operation in Manemma Basti, Ramnagar. The operation targeted the removal of illegal structures built on a water channel and a public road, resulting in the demolition of a toddy compound and several shops.
