GHMC gets exclusive demolition wing

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) established an exclusive Enforcement, Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) wing to demolish unauthorised structures, clear encroachments and take up rescue operations.

The civic body appointed IPS officer Viswajit Kampati as Director of the EVDM wing. GHMC Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy issued orders to this effect on Saturday.

In addition to the enforcement team, a special Lakes and Assets Protection Force (LAPF) is also being planned to protect lakes, open spaces, parks and other properties of the municipal corporation. LAPF will function under the EVDM wing.

Eight enforcement teams are being formed, of which one team each will be allotted to each zone while the rest of two teams will act as EVDM Task Force. Each team will consist of a Circle Inspector of Police, Executive Engineer, Assistant City Planner, Station Fire Officer, Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Legal Officer, two Sub-Inspectors of Police, eight Constables and 10 labourers.

For LAPF, a total of 400 personnel, including home guards and private security guards, are being roped in to prevent encroachments of lakes and other public spaces. The existing vigilance wing will function under the EVDM wing.

Focusing on



rescue operations especially during monsoon, the municipal corporation set up this wing to handle disaster prevention and response. 

The team will identify structures or issues, which pose a threat to life or property or cause inconvenience, and alert the enforcement wing for further action.

This wing will be powered by Quick Response Teams (QRT) and each zone will have one QRT, besides one Disaster Response Force (DRF). 

The DRF will consist of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Municipal Commissioner, two Circle Inspectors of Police, two Sub-Inspectors and others. Both the QRTs and DRFs will be provided with necessary vehicles, equipment, machinery, tools and communication system to attend any emergency or rescue operations.

All these personnel will be trained in a disaster response course conducted by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Industrial Security Academy. They will also undergo training sessions and mock exercises regularly to handle rescue operations effectively.

The municipal corporation appealed to the State government to allot senior police officials and home guards for establishing exclusive EVDM in January early this year.