A decision would be taken after final notification of Salkam Cheruvu

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has confirmed that demolition of the Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus in Chandrayangutta will be taken up once the final notification of Salkam Cheruvu is issued and all geographical parameters, including full tank levels (FTLs), are verified.

HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, speaking at a “Meet the Press” event on Saturday, said the delay in demolition was due to the need for thorough verification to avoid legal complications. “We are carefully examining all aspects. Once the verification of tank boundaries and FTLs is complete, demolition will be carried out to protect water bodies and ensure compliance with regulations,” Ranganath explained.

The commissioner also underlined the importance of accurate weather forecasting for the city’s disaster management efforts. He urged the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to modernize its systems and expand the network of automatic weather stations across Hyderabad for real-time and precise predictions. “Recently, the IMD predicted heavy rainfall in Hyderabad, but it did not occur. Such gaps in forecasting affect our preparedness,” he noted, adding that better monitoring of rainfall, wind, and temperature is critical for timely alerts in a rapidly growing city.

To strengthen water body protection, Hydraa is not only mapping FTLs but also compiling data on the agricultural ayacut of lakes. Support is being sought from the Survey of India, the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), and other expert bodies. Officials stressed that safeguarding tanks from encroachments through data-driven planning remains the agency’s priority.

The Fatima Owaisi Educational Campus, run by the Salar-e-Millat Trust and serving over 1,000 students, has been identified as an encroachment within the notified boundary of Salkam Cheruvu. The lake, also known as Suram Cheruvu, had its preliminary notification issued in 2016, and once the final notification is released, encroaching structures will be cleared to restore the lake’s ecological balance.