Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reiterated the government’s commitment to clearing encroachments in the city, warning that violators of the law, regardless of their social or political standing, would face strict action, including imprisonment. The CM made these remarks on Wednesday while addressing the passing out parade of newly recruited sub-inspectors at the Telangana Police Academy.
Reddy emphasized that Operation HYDRA, an initiative aimed at removing encroachments from Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones of lakes, would be executed with full force. He urged illegal occupants of water bodies to voluntarily vacate the encroached areas, warning that if they did not comply, the government would demolish illegal structures and file criminal cases against them.
“My appeal to all illegal occupants of the water bodies is to vacate the encroached places voluntarily. If not, the government will demolish the illegal structures and lodge them in jail,” he said. The CM also announced that encroachments along the banks of the Musi River would be cleared, and double-bedroom homes would be provided for the displaced. The government plans to rehabilitate approximately 11,000 residents affected by the drive.
Responding to critics of Operation HYDRA, Reddy said that had the previous government prevented these encroachments, Hyderabad would not have faced the flood disasters witnessed in recent years. “The demolition of encroachments is to prevent future calamities,” he stated.
The CM also stressed the government’s firm stance on eradicating the drug and ganja menace, which he said was destroying the lives of the youth and contributing to an increase in crime, including cybercrime. Reddy called on the police to handle the issue with an “iron hand,” highlighting the importance of tackling drug abuse for the state’s future.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to rebuild Telangana and create a bright future for the next generations. Police are the first responders when problems arise. Let us all work together to eradicate drug and ganja abuse. Even the thought of drugs should send shivers down the spine of those who consume and sell them,” Reddy urged.
