Latest news with #HyderabadDisasterManagementandAssetProtectionAgency
New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
HYDRAA reclaimed assets worth Rs 30,000 crore: AVRanganath
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Friday marked its first year of existence with a public event at Bathukamma Kunta in Amberpet, where students joined hands with local residents to form a human chain. The location for the celebration was apt, as it symbolises HYDRAA's efforts to reclaim and safeguard public assets. According to HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, the agency has reclaimed approximately 500 acres of public land, including water bodies, nalas, parks and open spaces. He estimated this reclaimed land to be worth over Rs 30,000 crore. 'In the past year, we have faced resistance and legal hurdles, but managed to recover and protect key public spaces,' Ranganath said. The agency, set up to address encroachments on public land, has focused on both recovery and development. Many of the reclaimed lakes are being restored to support rainwater harvesting and improve local ecosystems. 'We are working to divert rainwater from roads and the Musi River back into city lakes to strengthen Hyderabad's water resilience,' Ranganath said. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has been closely following the progress at Bathukamma Kunta and is expected to visit the site on September 21 for Bathukamma. Ranganath pointed out that the chief minister has tasked HYDRAA with not only to remove encroachments but also to ensure the long-term upkeep and usability of public infrastructure. On concerns raised by some residents regarding demolitions, Ranganath clarified that houses built before HYDRAA's establishment have been exempted. He also reiterated that the agency operates within the legal framework laid out by the state government and the Supreme Court.
Hans India
12-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Residents hail HYDRAA's razing of Habsiguda barrier wall
Hyderabad|: The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has removed a barrier wall that had been dividing two major colonies, Nandanavanam and Jayanagar, in Habsiguda. This move has brought significant relief to local residents by reducing their commute from 1.5 kilometres to just 300 metres. With the wall now removed, residents from Street 4 in Nandanavanam can directly access the main Habsiguda road by passing through Street 6. Residents had struggled with this connectivity issue for 15 years. Previously, residents of Nandanavanam had to take a longer route, covering 1.5 kilometres, to reach the NGR I Metro Station. The wall's removal now allows them to access the main road via Street Number 6, cutting the distance to just 300 metres. According to residents, despite repeated complaints to municipal authorities and discussions with the Jayanagar Colony Association, no action was taken. It was only after a complaint was filed through the Prajavani grievance platform that HYDRAA intervened. Residents from Concrete Trumpet Apartments expressed happiness and gratitude, noting that this development will save time and reduce daily stress.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HYDRAA lost all credibility after refusing to take action against Owaisi college building: BJP MP
HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency) has lost its credibility for being selective in its approach and not taking action against the encroachment of Salkam lake by a college building run by MIM leaders, said Chevella MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy on Thursday. 'Many had appreciated when HYDRAA was formed but soon the true colours got exposed as it went ahead demolishing houses belonging to the poor Hindus but did not touch those belonging to the Muslims bowing to pressure from the Majlis party,' he alleged. At a press conference in the State party office, the MP charged that the Congress government is 'scared' of the Majlis party which is now 'ruling the old city'. 'HYDRAA's main strength is not running the bulldozer on encroachments but credibility which it had lost with its selective action. Why does it not show humane approach to houses of the poor but only to builders and others?,' he questioned. Mr. Reddy pointed out that two women got drowned in a resort built in violation of rules right in the middle of a lake in Vikarabad during the BRS regime but no action has been taken by HYDRAA. What is it doing?, he asked. The MP also demanded a special revision of voters lists like it is being done in Bihar and cancel voters cards of 'illegal' foreigners from Bangladesh or Pakistan. 'There has been free border movement for nearly 60 years and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shut the borders, so those already here should be sent out. There could be four crore illegal foreigners staying here,' claimed the BJP leader. In separate press meets, BC Morcha president leader Anand Goud and general secretary G. Premender Reddy have demanded that the government take strict action against the Excise and Prohibition officials for deaths in the sale of adulterated toddy in the capital region. The indiscriminate sale of the chemicals-laced toddy had exposed the failure by the regulatory authorities concerned and hollow claims of the government about tackling the drug menace with an iron hand, they said. Five persons had died and the condition of seven others is reported to be critical. Many others would require life long medicare. Party president N. Ramchander Rao had earlier visited NIMS hospital in Punjagutta to enquire into the condition of the patients admitted, they added.
Hans India
05-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
HYDRAA amps up drive to remove encroachments, clear open nalas
Hyderabad:With the ongoing rainy season, Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) took a decisive measure to prevent stormwater drain overflow in the city. The teams are removing existing obstructions in the drains is crucial to controlling urban flooding. On Friday, the HYDRAA cleared key obstacles to ensure the smooth flow of floodwater in Nallagandla. The work on the canal is expected to accelerate the construction of a 2-kilometer floodwater drainage canal originating from Nallagandla Lake. According to HYDRAA, the canal is being developed under the Strategic Nala Development Programme (SNDP). The works were stalled due to encroachments along the planned route. While some property owners removed unauthorized structures voluntarily, others resisted, delaying the project. With the project at a standstill, only 230 meters of work completed, SNDP officials sought assistance from HYDRAA. At the same time, residents from flood-prone colonies filed complaints, urging immediate action. The problem arose in the HUDA Colony, where part of an apartment boundary wall and other constructions were found on the canal's path. Similar encroachments were reported in other areas as well. On Friday, HYDRAA intervened and removed illegal constructions along the nala, clearing both sides of the canal. This has allowed construction to resume. The canal passes from Nallagandla Lake through Doctors Colony, Rail Vihar, Nallagandla HUDA Colony, Old Serilingampally Village, and Netaji Nagar, and merges with the main nala at BHEL Crossroads. These areas have faced frequent flooding during monsoons due to blocked water flow. Additionally, on Friday, HYDRAA successfully cleared the debris from the blocked drains, culverts, open nalas, and flood canals in various parts of the city. Given the significant amount of waste being dumped into open nalas, the HYDRAA Monsoon Emergency Team (MET) and HYDRAA Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams have prioritized desilting efforts in drains and culverts. Through this initiative, the HYDRAA teams have effectively removed the waste in the flood canals located in Madhuranagar and Krishnanagar within the Yousufguda area. Furthermore, the teams tackled the garbage that had accumulated in the drains of Janardhan Reddy Nagar in Gachibowli. They also cleared the waste from the nala in Markandeya Colony, in Kapra Circle. The silt from the nala stretches from Mantrala Cheruvu to Jillelaguda Cheruvu, near RCI Road and Mithila Nagar in LB Nagar Circle, using JCB machinery. On Thursday, the HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath inspected several major drains and flood-prone areas. After witnessing extensive encroachments firsthand, he immediately ordered their removal. The Commissioner stressed that preventing such flooding this year is a collective responsibility.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Telangana's Sigachi blast not a one-off error: Experts cite multiple safety failures; call for regulatory overhaul
HYDERABAD: One of Telangana 's worst industrial disasters is unlikely to have been caused by a single error. Experts say it could well be the outcome of multiple failures. Overheating, faulty temperature sensors, and suspected lapses in safety monitoring all combined to trigger the deadly explosion at Sigachi Industries in Pashamylaram. Investigations by forensic and environmental agencies point to thermal decomposition (ignition) of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) - a chemical prone to combust at temperatures above 399°C - as the immediate cause of the explosion. Experts believe it led to a dust explosion, powerful enough to bring down parts of the factory and kill several workers. Director of Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory, Shikha Goel, said it's too early to confirm the exact cause. Confirming that a chemical team had visited the site, she said: "The overheating of a combustible substance likely led to a dust explosion. Forensic collection was limited due to ongoing rescue operations. We will revisit the site soon." You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Poorly maintained spray dryers ticking time bombs, says expert Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) commissioner AV Ranganath, after inspecting the plant, said, "The rise in temperature that led to thermal decomposition of MCC should have been flagged on monitoring screens, but no one noticed it. The alarm system didn't go off. The sensors seem to have failed." He also said the death toll was high as the blast happened during a shift roll call, with workers from night and day shifts present in the small dryer area. "Powder packing was underway, so the area was crowded," he said. K Babu Rao, former chief scientist at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, said, "It looks like a classic dust explosion. Spray dryers, if not well maintained, are ticking time bombs. Cellulose dust is combustible and needs just one ignition point. Failures like these often happen in sugar factories. We have seen such explosions in crude drug units in Nellore and Parawada in the past." Choking in spray dryer A Telangana State Pollution Control Board (TGPCB) official, speaking anonymously, echoed these findings. "The blast was likely caused by choking in the spray dryer. That built up pressure and heat. Maintenance was clearly poor," he said. PCB member-secretary G Ravi said the plant was permitted to function until 2027 but confirmed, "We will now issue a closure notice in light of the deaths and suspected violations." He said a joint team from boilers department and factory inspectorate was evaluating technical aspects. "It's premature to assign full blame, but serious questions are being raised," he said. Experts point fingers at regulatory oversight, calling for accountability from factory inspectors who failed to ensure safe conditions. "Spray dryers fall under pressure vessel regulation. Inspectors must ensure SOPs are followed," a PCB official said. "This is not routine. It's a major industrial accident, and entire inspection framework needs a hard look." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
