Hyderabad: Serilingampally MLA R.K. Podi Gandhi on Monday intervened to stop HYDRAA’s demolition drive around Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur, demanding that affected families be provided with alternative shelter before any clearance.
HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection) officials had launched the demolition on Monday morning to remove longstanding encroachments around the 32-acre lake. Several huts built within the Full Tank Level limits were already pulled down, and illegal borewell meters dismantled.
On learning of the demolitions, Gandhi rushed to the spot and expressed anger at HYDRAA staff, instructing them to halt further action immediately. The MLA argued that the poor residents needed to be rehabilitated before evictions could proceed.
Officials had identified large-scale unauthorised structures around Sunnam Cheruvu, deciding to demolish them to protect the water body. Gandhi’s protest led to tense scenes at the site, with officials pausing their operation pending further discussion on resettlement arrangements.
