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Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Telangana's Charlapally Lake to get a makeover: Prison campus turns green hub; walking path, solar lights, and CSR push planned
HYDERABAD: Charlapally lake, located within the premises of the central prison, is set for a major facelift with plans to transform it into a clean freshwater body and recreational space. On Thursday, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath and director general of prisons Soumya Mishra visited the lake to assess its potential, accompanied by officials from the revenue, irrigation, GHMC, and prisons departments. Spread across 58 acres, the lake holds limited water but is relatively clean. Officials noted its potential for biodiversity and public use, provided it is maintained systematically. Proposed developments include fencing, bund strengthening, a 3-km walking path, seating areas, greenery, solar lighting, and CCTV surveillance. Local industries have expressed interest in supporting the project under CSR. A detailed project report will soon be prepared to assess costs.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
HYDRAA plans to engage former military personnel as marshals to tackle monsoon emergencies in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: To tackle monsoon-related challenges across the city, the Hyderabad Disaster Response Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has decided to engage former military personnel to manage waterlogging issues and handle incidents of fallen trees across the city. Following the state govt's decision to transfer emergency monsoon operations to HYDRAA, the agency opted to employ ex-servicemen as 'marshals' for a five-month duration. During this period, 90 ex-army personnel will be stationed across the city and will head the 150 monsoon emergency teams. These marshals will additionally be tasked with safeguarding the city's lakes from encroachments. Further, 51 DRF teams from HYDRAA will support these emergency teams. All the units handle all monsoon-related tasks, including the clearing of catchpits during rainfall, dewatering, management of traffic diversions, and safety inspections of nalas to prevent accidents. Currently, the GHMC will be responsible for only pre-monsoon tasks such as desilting of nalas and stormwater drains. According to officials, the marshals will supervise the contractors' activities and confirm if their teams addressed the water stagnation issues and cleared fallen trees prior to bill payment. 'Ex-servicemen, having served in the army, are known for their uncompromising approach towards work quality and safeguarding public assets, including protection against lake encroachments. This sets them apart from other authorities, making them ideal candidates for deployment as marshals,' said AV Ranganath, Commissioner, HYDRAA. The govt cancelled previously approved contracts by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), valued at Rs 50 crore. 'We will reduce monsoon-related spending by 40 percent, bringing it down from Rs 50 crore to Rs 30 crore across all operations. Rest assured, relief activities and emergency operations will remain unaffected. Previously, GHMC would hire dewatering pumps, but the two-month rental costs could instead fund the purchase of multiple pumps. Through such measures, we are implementing various cost-cutting strategies,' Ranganath added. HYDRAA invites tenders for monsoon works HYDRAA has taken charge of monsoon emergency operations, including urban flooding and disaster management, following the state govt's transfer order. The agency issued monsoon tenders with plans to deploy contractors in the next five days. These teams will be positioned across all 150 GHMC wards. Each team will comprise nine members tasked with addressing road stagnation, water logging, and fallen trees during heavy rainfall. The scope of HYDRAA's responsibilities includes clearing fallen trees and poles while coordinating with HMWSSB, TGSPDCL, and other agencies for monsoon-related response and relief activities.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
HYDRAA begins demolition drive to clear Rasoolpura nala bottlenecks
Hyderabad: In a decisive move to address long-standing flooding woes, HYDRAA on Friday began demolishing illegal commercial structures that had severely choked the Rasoolpura (Patny) nala, reducing its width from the planned 70 feet to just 15–18 feet along a 150-metre stretch near Patny Centre. This stretch had become a major bottleneck for floodwaters flowing in from the Hasmathpet and Picket nalas, which together run over 23 km through Secunderabad's densely populated upstream colonies. The obstruction has long aggravated flooding in neighbourhoods like Paigah Colony, Patny Compound, Viman Nagar, BHEL Colony, and Indiramma Nagar. Following repeated petitions from residents, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath inspected the site on Thursday, accompanied by Secunderabad Cantonment Board CEO Madhukar Naik and officials from the GHMC, irrigation, and revenue departments. Locals presented mobile phone images showing that over 55–60 feet of the nala had been encroached. "Even a 5 cm rain shower submerges our lanes," said a long-time resident of Patny Colony. On Friday morning, demolition teams began razing the illegal constructions while traffic police managed vehicular flow at the busy junction. Commissioner Ranganath assured residents that the cleared stretch would be secured with a retaining RCC wall to prevent future encroachments. Desilting operations will also be undertaken to improve the drain's carrying capacity. "We are strictly enforcing high court and Supreme Court orders—there will be no more delay tactics," Ranganath said. Cantonment authorities added that any action against low-income dwellings would be considered only as a last resort, with compensation sought wherever demolition becomes unavoidable. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hans India
How Restoring Bathukamma Kunta is Transforming Life for Hyderabad Locals
HYDRAA's work to improve their neighborhood lakes. HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath evaluated lake rejuvenation work during field visits to advance water body conservation projects in Hyderabad. The commissioner checked Bathukamma Kunta revival in Amberpet as well as Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula located in the Old City. The community recognizes HYDRAA for their work on transforming nearby lakes. The HYDRAA Commissioner highlighted the need to restore lakes for flood control purposes and to develop them into both ecological resources and recreational spaces for the city. The local people experience happiness due to Hyderabad lake restoration. Ranganath examined Bathukamma Kunta's condition and checked the engineered rainwater channels at both entry and exit points. Near the lake he observed the diversion works which separated stormwater from sewage lines. The Bathukamma festival showed their deep gratitude towards the restoration project which they described as "a breath of new life" for their area. Residents saw the return of migratory birds and waterfowl as evidence of ecological recovery and asked for a new community hall to be built near the lake. The Commissioner promised the community that their suggestion would undergo evaluation. Warning on illegal dumping along Musi River The Commissioner responded to allegations about unauthorized soil dumping along the Musi riverbed by stating that the culprits were given warnings and instructed to remove the debris within seven days. If violators do not remove the soil within the specified time frame they will face legal proceedings and formal charges. The Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula lake will be brought back to its full original size. Ranganath made an inspection trip to Bum-Rukn-ud-Daula located within the Old City. The lake which originally covered 18 acres has lost nearly half its area to encroachment and debris accumulation. The HYDRAA team continues its restoration efforts for the community lake project by removing soil buildup to retrieve the lost area and expand it to its original dimensions. Plans for public parks and walking paths HYDRAA is creating walking tracks, children's play areas and green spaces around the lakes as part of their rejuvenation efforts. According to Commissioner Ranganath the restoration project aims to protect water bodies while creating dynamic public spaces for residents.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- New Indian Express
HYDRAA frees grabbed park land
HYDERABAD: HYDRAA has reclaimed one acre of park land valued at Rs 40 crore in Mytrayee Nagar, Chandanagar, following a complaint received through Prajavani. Residents of Mytrayee Nagar had alleged that the property had been encroached upon, converted into plots and sold despite being legally classified as park land. Locals also complained that those allegedly responsible for the encroachment continued efforts to assert control over the land. Following verification, HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath identified the one-acre plot reserved for the park and directed personnel and machinery to reclaim the land. In a separate incident in Ghatkesar, HYDRAA demolished unauthorised boundary walls built across public roads in Jayapuri Colony, located near the ORR. Acting on complaints from affected plot owners, the teams, under Ranganath's instructions, removed the obstructions on Wednesday. Ranganath inspected and took action at two locations in Hyderabad.
