The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) is under public scrutiny for its selective approach. It is alleged and reported that HYDRAA is indiscriminately demolishing houses belonging to the poor and middle class, while the affluent are given notices with indefinite deadlines, allowing them time to obtain stay orders from the court.
The HYDRAA authorities recently confirmed that the Vasavi Housing Complex in Bachupally falls within the Full Tank Level (FTL) of a local lake, with encroachment clearly marked on maps from the HMDA Lake Protection Committee. Notices were issued to Vasavi and other major construction companies, yet demolition efforts appear selective. This has raised public concern, especially as HYDRAA’s bulldozers have been quick to target smaller, residential buildings while ignoring larger, corporate projects.
Questions have emerged over who halted HYDRAA’s enforcement against these larger developments, with suspicions of behind-the-scenes negotiations. The public are asking why HYDRAA, known for its heavy-handed approach with small properties, is silent after issuing notices to major constructions.
Notably, no actions were taken even after the case of CM’s brother, Thirupathi Reddy, who reportedly obtained a stay order on his Amar Society property near Durgam Cheruvu lake. Such instances have led many to believe that HYDRAA enforces laws differently for the wealthy and influential than it does for ordinary citizens.
In recent months, HYDRAA’s operations in Hyderabad have left families homeless. Many, after investing substantial savings and taking on large loans to secure homes, now face the reality of their houses being razed overnight. The Congress government had already demolished 262 structures across 23 locations, almost all owned by low- to middle-income families.
HYDRAA’s Commissioner previously stated that demolishing illegal constructions by big developers was a priority. However, although notices were issued to five large construction companies, including the Vasavi Urban Project, Aparna, Aditya, Vertex, and Jayabheri, no enforcement actions have been taken.
Municipal authorities inspected the Vasavi project and confirmed that Blocks 8 and 9 fall within FTL boundaries of the Komatikunta lake buffer zone, and additional buildings may also be affected. Despite inspections, HYDRAA has yet to mark these properties or initiate any demolition, raising questions over selective enforcement.
The BRS party has criticized HYDRAA’s formation under the Revanth government, claiming it serves political and financial agendas. Allegedly, HYDRAA has become a means for collecting large sums from developers, a notion seemingly supported by its inactivity against prominent builders.
Last month, local authorities gave these developers a 15-day deadline to comply, yet the deadline has come and gone with no demolitions. Reports suggest backdoor arrangements may have taken place, halting enforcement. In contrast to the swift demolition of the common man’s property, HYDRAA has been inactive against large developers.
Many believe that well-connected builders may have appeased government officials, stalling any real action. The disparity between HYDRAA’s treatment of smaller property owners and larger developers is fueling growing public outrage.