HYDRA Will Protect Lakes and Public Properties, Says Revanth

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to entrust more important responsibilities to the disaster management department in the Greater Hyderabad limits. The officials have been asked to assign the responsibilities to the authorities accordingly along with the changing of the entire system in line with the decision taken by the government. The Chief Minister held a review meeting with the officials from the municipal administration department, HMDA and Musi Riverfront Development Corporation on Monday at the Secretariat.

In view of the expansion of the geographical area of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered increasing the scope of the disaster management department up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Revanth Reddy suggested making necessary changes to extend the services of the Disaster Management department to GHMC, 27 Municipalities, municipal corporations and 33 gram panchayats. The Chief Minister said the disaster management department will be tentatively renamed HYDRA or Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection. He said a DIG- level officer will be appointed as the director of HYDRA and the SP-level officers will be nominated as additional directors. 

Revanth Reddy also suggested constituting special teams from GHMC, HMDA, Water Board, City Traffic and various departments in the disaster department. Apart from regular services during the floods and



accidents, the Chief Minister directed the officials to restructure the entire disaster management wing to offer continuous services to the people of the city. He clarified that HYDRA should be active to deal with all problems being faced by the people in the city.

The CM decided the disaster management department will take up the key responsibilities of protecting the lakes and ponds within the GHMC area of about 2,000 kilometers, nalas in the city and the government properties from the threat of encroachment. Apart from this, the disaster management wing will also provide services like the control of hoardings and flexies, drinking water pipelines, power supply lines, drainages, flood management and traffic control. The Chief Minister ordered to speed up the work of Musi Riverfront Development Project and alerted the officials that this project should work in tune with the government's goal to promote Hyderabad as the best international city. 

He also asked the officials to take appropriate measures to restore the buildings of historical importance and dilapidated structures in Hyderabad. GHMC officials gave a powerpoint presentation on various historical places like City Library, Ayurvedic Hospital near Charminar, Nizamia Observatory, Gudimalkapur lake etc. He suggested exploring ways to develop them as tourist spots.