Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced an expansion of responsibilities for the Disaster Management department within Greater Hyderabad. This department will be renamed Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The announcement came during a meeting with officials from the State Municipal Administration, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and Musi Riverfront Development.
HYDRA will undertake extensive responsibilities, including the protection of lakes, ponds, and nalas within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area, which spans approximately two thousand kilometres. The department will also safeguard government properties against encroachment and manage hoardings, flexies, drinking water pipelines, power supply lines, drainages, flood management, and traffic control.Chief Minister Reddy emphasised the importance of restoring historically significant and dilapidated structures in Hyderabad. He instructed the Chief Secretary, Santhi Kumari, to draft a comprehensive plan detailing the reorganisation, personnel requirements, duties, fund allocation, and responsibilities of the revamped department. Additionally, the scope of the Disaster Management Department will be expanded to cover the Outer Ring Road (ORR) area, reflecting the growing geographical expanse of Hyderabad. This extension will include services to GHMC, 27 municipalities, corporations, and 33 gram panchayats.
The chief minister announced the appointment of a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) level officer as the Director of HYDRA, with Superintendent of Police (SP) level officers serving as Additional Directors. Special teams comprising members from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, City Traffic, and various other departments will be formed to enhance the disaster management wing’s effectiveness.Apart from managing regular flood and accident responses, HYDRA will be restructured to offer continuous services to Hyderabad’s residents. The chief minister stressed the need for the department to remain vigilant and responsive to all urban challenges. He also urged officials to expedite the Musi Riverfront Development Project, which is a key initiative aimed at transforming the city’s riverfront into a vibrant urban space.
During the meeting, GHMC officials presented a PowerPoint on various historical sites, including the City Library, Ayurvedic Hospital near Charminar, Nizamia Observatory, and Gudimalkapur Lake. The chief minister recommended exploring the potential of these sites as tourist attractions and integrating them with the Musi Riverfront Development Project wherever possible.This comprehensive strategy reflects the state government’s commitment to enhancing urban resilience and preserving Hyderabad’s rich cultural heritage. By strengthening the disaster management infrastructure and restoring historical landmarks, the administration aims to ensure a safer, more vibrant city for its residents and visitors.
