In a significant policy shift, the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has decided to restrict its demolition activities to only those structures constructed after its formation in July 2024. Commissioner A.V. Ranganath’s statement, delivered at Kukatpally’s Maisamma Cheruvu, marks a departure from the agency’s earlier stance, which had seen a more aggressive approach to demolitions, even of structures built before the agency’s establishment.
Ranganath clarified that structures built before July 2024 would be spared, provided they had received proper permissions, particularly those built on Full Tank Level (FTL) or lake buffer zones. However, buildings that began construction after the agency’s formation would face scrutiny, including those that obtained post-July 2024 permits. This shift is likely to spark debate, given that the agency previously carried out demolitions of properties built well before its inception, such as those in Mallampet’s Sunnam Cheruvu, where even authorised buildings were not spared.
The decision raises questions about HYDRAA’s consistency in policy enforcement. While the new approach offers a degree of leniency towards older encroachments, it fails to clarify the fate of encroachments on footpaths, roads, or government properties. Critics have pointed to the agency’s selective enforcement, wondering if this will set a precedent for future inaction on older encroachments, which could undermine urban planning efforts aimed at sustainable development. As the city grapples with rapid urbanisation, maintaining an efficient and transparent approach to encroachment and construction is crucial to ensure long-term civic welfare.
From a sustainability perspective, this shift could be seen as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it could prevent unnecessary demolitions, saving both resources and energy. On the other, it risks encouraging a lax approach to urban growth, potentially undermining efforts to protect sensitive environmental zones like lakes and buffer zones. As cities expand, balancing urban development with environmental conservation becomes more critical. Whether HYDRAA can maintain this balance remains to be seen.
