Round table backs HYDRAA

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana Rashtriya Lok Dal (TRLD) organised a round table conference on HYDRAA at Hotel Central Court, Lakdikapul, on Friday. Chaired by former MLC Kapilavai Dileep Kumar, the meeting broadly supported HYDRAA’s efforts to restore lakes and tanks while urging the agency to protect the interests of weaker sections.

Dileep Kumar described HYDRAA’s formation as a positive step and appreciated Commissioner A.V. Ranganath’s work. He expressed hope that dwellings of the poor would not be affected without proper compensation and rehabilitation.

Several speakers stressed the need to conserve Hyderabad’s lakes and water bodies. Former IFS officer Pargain called for public participation in conservation efforts, while advocate and political analyst Sharath noted that HYDRAA had earned both praise and criticism and urged caution in dealing with vulnerable communities.

Social activist Paduri Karuna said action against influential encroachers was welcome but had also created anxiety among weaker sections. Other speakers, including Gopal Sarma, Uppala Sarada and TUF representative Bhagavanth Reddy, called for impartial action against all encroachers while ensuring the welfare of economically weaker families.

Retired IAS officer Venkateshwarlu stressed the importance of unbiased functioning. BJP spokesperson Prakash Reddy appreciated HYDRAA’s efforts to reclaim encroached lakes and tanks, while TRLD Polit Bureau member V.V.S. Satyanarayana said such initiatives were essential for Hyderabad’s future.

Prof. Gali Vinod praised HYDRAA’s restoration work but urged the agency not to demolish homes of poor families without a comprehensive rehabilitation package.

Responding to the concerns, Commissioner Ranganath said HYDRAA was committed to restoring lakes and tanks without political influence. He said proposals for rehabilitation are sent to the government whenever weaker-section families are likely to be affected. HYDRAA has received around 30,000 applications and is prioritising urgent cases. He welcomed constructive suggestions and said the organisation was willing to correct mistakes while serving Hyderabad better