Hyderabad, Sept 27 – The Revenue Department officials have commenced a detailed survey to gather information about houses situated on the Musi riverbed in Hyderabad, specifically within the Bahadurpura constituency of the Old City. The initiative, carried out on Thursday, marks the beginning of efforts to address illegal encroachments and ensure safety in flood-prone areas.
Divided into five teams, the officials, accompanied by police personnel, began marking houses and collecting data on residents in areas like Kishan Bagh, Asad Baba Nagar, and Nandimusalai Guda. Reports indicate that around 386 houses are located in the Musi riverbed, a region vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains.
The operation is being overseen by Bahadurpura Tehsildar Chandrasekhar Goud, with four other Tehsildars joining the exercise. Security has been heightened, with Bahadurpura police deploying personnel to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents.
Previous Announcements by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy
The survey comes in line with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s earlier statements on addressing illegal constructions and encroachments in Hyderabad, particularly in sensitive areas like the Musi riverbed. During a previous meeting in July, the CM had stressed the need for immediate action to clear illegal settlements that pose a risk to public safety, especially during the monsoon season. He had directed the revenue and municipal authorities to expedite the identification of such structures and prepare for necessary action, including rehabilitation plans for affected families.
The CM’s commitment to protecting the Musi river and restoring its ecosystem had been reiterated in multiple meetings with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). “The Musi river has been subject to continuous encroachments, which is endangering lives and disrupting efforts to revitalize the river. We will not tolerate further delays in addressing this issue,” Revanth Reddy had remarked during a public address.
Survey and Future Plans
As part of the ongoing initiative, the revenue department is collecting comprehensive details about the families living on the riverbed, including their duration of stay and property ownership records. The collected data will be used to devise a plan for the possible relocation of families living in the danger zone, ensuring their safety during extreme weather events like floods.
While the survey is currently focused on the Bahadurpura area, similar exercises are expected to be carried out in other parts of Hyderabad where illegal constructions along the river are rampant.
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions to the survey. While some have welcomed the move, citing concerns about safety during floods, others are worried about the uncertainty of relocation. The government has assured that all affected families will be provided alternative housing under the state’s rehabilitation policy, but no specific timeline has been announced yet.
Police and Security Measures
With heavy security in place, the Bahadurpura police have deployed personnel across survey areas to ensure the smooth conduct of operations. Given the history of tensions surrounding eviction and relocation drives, authorities are taking no chances in preventing disruptions during the survey. However, the survey has been conducted peacefully so far, with no reports of resistance from local residents.
The Telangana government’s action follows the growing concerns over the safety of people living in flood-prone areas, especially after the devastating floods that hit Hyderabad in 2020. In his recent address, CM Revanth Reddy emphasized that such initiatives are part of a larger plan to make Hyderabad resilient to future floods, with the Musi river cleanup and management being a top priority for the state administration.
