HYDRAA chief Ranganath clarifies on parks, encroachments, and landmark recoveries
Hyderabad: Commissioner of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) A.V. Ranganath on Sunday addressed a range of public concerns during an interactive session on social media, clarifying issues from public interest litigations to encroached parks.
Residents of SunCity Colony, Bandlaguda, for instance, complained of zero parks despite the colony spreading over 125 acres. Ranganath explained that HYDRAA had already recreated 60–70 parks citywide and stood ready to collaborate with resident welfare associations if specific petitions were filed.
On land disputes, the Commissioner said HYDRAA assigns an officer for preliminary investigation after a complaint, without demanding documents upfront. Only later are ownership proofs taken from both parties, followed by personal hearings. In cases of suspected encroachment, officials conduct structured inquiries with video recording to maintain transparency.
He cited that HYDRAA strictly complies with a Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice B.R. Gavai, which allows demolition of structures on water bodies, nalas, railway lines, and roads without issuing prior notice. However, Ranganath noted that genuine buyers affected by such demolition have legal options to pursue civil or criminal cases.
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Answering questions on recent lake protection efforts, Ranganath said public awareness drives had made citizens more cautious about purchasing plots close to lakes and nalas, mentioning Gandipet and N Convention as examples of high-profile recoveries. Over the last year, HYDRAA reclaimed assets worth ₹1,000 crore at Bumrah lake, reportedly involving AIMIM leaders, and ₹30 crore at Chandrayangutta through encroachment demolitions.
Regarding the Fatima Owaisi College built near Suram Cheruvu, he confirmed that a preliminary notification had been issued for encroachment, but a final notification remained pending due to PILs. He acknowledged the college’s role in educating nearly 10,000 economically disadvantaged Muslim students from KG to PG, describing it as a socially sensitive issue.
Ranganath underlined that HYDRAA’s approach to demolitions and encroachment removals remained impartial, regardless of political links, adding that his record of tackling land grabbing as Warangal Police Commissioner earned the Chief Minister’s trust to head HYDRAA in Hyderabad.