Residents Hold Rallies in Support of HYDRAA’s Encroachment Drive

Residents and welfare associations across Hyderabad took to the streets on Sunday in support of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA), backing its efforts to protect lakes, parks and stormwater drains from encroachments.

Residents expressed solidarity with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and the state government for establishing what they described as a citizen-oriented system aimed at protecting Hyderabad’s natural water bodies and public assets.

At the 52.20-acre Mushkin Cheruvu, located along the Puppalaguda-Narsingi border, HYDRAA reportedly cleared encroachments spread across nearly 35 acres, helping safeguard the lake from further occupation. In recognition of the action, residents of gated communities and apartment complexes in the surrounding areas organised large rallies in support of the agency.

A similar demonstration was held at Janardhan Hills Colony in Gachibowli, where senior citizens, women and children participated in a solidarity rally. Residents appreciated HYDRAA’s efforts to protect a stormwater drain that had allegedly been encroached upon, along with the adjoining park.

The participants said protecting Hyderabad’s lakes and drainage network was crucial to preventing urban flooding and ensuring a safer future for the city. They maintained that encroachments on water bodies and natural drainage channels could worsen flooding during heavy rains and pose risks to residential neighbourhoods.

Calling for sustained action, residents urged the government to continue HYDRAA’s operations and strengthen measures to preserve lakes, parks and nalas across the city. They said public participation would be essential for protecting Hyderabad’s environment and preventing the loss of critical water-retention and drainage infrastructure.