Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma approved Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRA) Ordinance, turning it into a full-fledged powerful authority. At a time when questions were being raised on the legality and powers of HYDRA, Governor’s nod to the Ordinance, gives it the much needed support.

HYDRA was formed in July through GO 99. The main motive of the HYDRA was to address disasters and protect Government lands in GHMC area and up to Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. Now HYDRA Ordinance has been approved expanding it limits and scope of work.

In the newly approved Ordinance, several powers which were hitherto under GHMC, HMDA, Municipalities and Revenue authorities were entrusted to HYDRA.

With Chief Minister Revanth Reddy personally taking care of HYDRA, it has been zooming ahead demolishing properties constructed by encroaching lakes and government lands. While initially HYDRA was hailed as taking on powerful encroachers, it later faced the wrath of Hyderabadis, as it demolished houses and properties of even poor and middle class.

As complaints on HYDRA rose, even High Court expressed its disapproval of HYDRA’s modus operandi. HC even questioned the legality of HYDRA, personally pulling up HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath. With Ordinance being approved, now HYDRA officials will have an answer to those who question its legality.

Dnr