Hyderabad: Encroachment of drainage channels, not lakes, has caused flooding in Hyderabad during heavy rains, said HYDRAA Commissioner Ranganath. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said HYDRAA teams are clearing illegal nala structures across the city. He added that the agency will issue a notification for nala restoration soon.
Hydraa commissioner Ranganath vows full nala restoration in Hyderabad
Ranganath said HYDRAA (Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency) has protected government properties worth over ₹50,000 crore since its inception. He said the agency recovered about 1,000 acres of land, most of it from influential individuals.
He promised to complete nala restoration across the city within nine months. Referring to Bathukamma Kunta, he said the ten-acre pond had suffered large-scale encroachment. HYDRAA managed to reclaim at least five acres from illegal control.
Ranganath noted that Hyderabad’s drainage channels were once wide and well-connected. Over the years, they shrank due to unchecked construction. “We are restoring the original width to ensure smooth water flow,” he said.
