Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy pledged on Sunday to remove encroachments from lakes and ponds in and around Hyderabad, emphasizing that the government will not yield to external pressures.
Addressing the media, Reddy highlighted the importance of protecting water bodies, which are crucial for meeting the city’s water needs. His comments followed a recent action by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection Authority (HYDRA), which demolished the N-Convention Centre, owned by renowned actor Nagarjuna, in Madhapur. Reports indicate that the builders constructed the convention center on land designated as the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone of Thammidikunta Lake.
During the foundation-laying ceremony for the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower, Reddy highlighted that the Nizams historically developed Hyderabad as a city of lakes. He expressed concern over the construction of luxury farmhouses around these water bodies, which are vital sources of drinking water for millions.
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Reddy criticized the discharge of wastewater from these farmhouses into Gandipet (Osman Sagar) and Himayat Sagar reservoirs, which supply drinking water to the city. He stressed that safeguarding water bodies and the city is a collective responsibility, particularly for elected officials.
Lord Krishna’s Teachings To Arjuna
“Our government is committed to protecting lakes from encroachment through HYDRAA,” Reddy stated. He drew inspiration from Lord Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna, declaring that the government’s fight against lake encroachments is not a political campaign but a commitment to future generations.
“We will not succumb to pressure and will take stringent action against encroachers,” he asserted, warning that the destruction of natural assets could lead to severe consequences for the human population.
HYDRA, established by the state government last month, has been actively demolishing illegal structures around the city to reclaim encroached land on lakes, ponds, and other water bodies.
Reddy also addressed the government’s focus on education and healthcare, urging the Hare Krishna Foundation to provide food services at Osmania, Gandhi, NIMS, and Cancer Hospitals, promising support from the government.
The Chief Minister described the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower, under construction at a height of 430 feet, as a symbol of Telangana’s pride and a source of spiritual guidance amid the urban landscape. Builders expect to complete the tower’s construction within 36 to 40 months.
