HYDRAA gets wider powers in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has granted additional powers to HYDRAA, the agency set up for disaster management, lake protection and prevention of encroachments in Hyderabad.
The government also expanded the agency’s jurisdiction and issued guidelines on fund allocation and tender approvals for emergency works. Municipal Administration Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan issued two separate government orders, GO Nos. 548 and 549, on Monday.
At present, HYDRAA does not have a chief engineer post, leading to delays in technical scrutiny and finalisation of tenders. To address this, the government authorised the HYDRAA commissioner to directly finalise tenders for works costing up to ₹10 crore.
For projects exceeding ₹10 crore, the government constituted a high-level tender committee to examine proposals and make recommendations.
HYDRAA to handle monsoon emergency operations
The government decided to continue entrusting HYDRAA with emergency services and flood mitigation measures after the agency handled monsoon-related operations successfully in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits last year.
This year, the government expanded HYDRAA’s jurisdiction to the remaining areas under the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE).
Apart from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), HYDRAA disaster management teams will now operate in the newly formed Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC).
Funds to be transferred immediately for emergency works
During the upcoming monsoon season, HYDRAA will take up emergency works including desilting of stormwater drains, removal of uprooted trees and electric poles from roads, and traffic regulation during disasters.
The government directed GHMC, CMC and MMC commissioners to immediately transfer funds from their respective budgets to HYDRAA for these operations.
