The ongoing campaign against illegal structures in the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zones of lakes has led to seven First Information Reports (FIRs) being filed against suspected encroachers and negligent officials across Hyderabad. These cases were initiated following complaints from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and officials from the irrigation department. Among those facing charges are former MLA Katasani Rambhoopal Reddy, prominent builders, and government officials from the irrigation and revenue departments.
On 6 August, a case was registered by the Suraram police in response to a complaint from the irrigation department. Ratnakaram Sai Raju, a resident of Gajularamaram, was accused of constructing unauthorised structures on government land in survey No. 329 and within the FTL and buffer zone of Chinthala Cheruvu. Officials discovered 12 illegal structures in the buffer zone and an additional 40 violations in survey No. 329/1. The charges against Raju include criminal trespass, mischief, cheating, and damage to public property.
On 20 August, the Bachupally police registered a case based on a complaint from the irrigation department against Maps Infra, represented by managing partner P Sudhakar Reddy. The complaint alleged illegal construction within the FTL of Errakunta in Nizampet, Bachupally. Although Maps Infra presented permission documents for constructions in survey Nos. 48 and 49, an inspection revealed violations in survey No. 134, where structures were found encroaching on government land. HYDRAA subsequently demolished these unauthorised constructions.
In another instance, on 10 August, Dundigal police registered a case following a complaint from the irrigation officials regarding illegal villa constructions in survey No. 170/4 of Mallampet village. Lakshmi Srinivasa Constructions was alleged to have encroached upon the FTL and buffer zone of Katwa Cheruvu. The illegal dumping of construction debris and unauthorised road formation within the lake’s FTL had significantly reduced the water body’s capacity, according to the officials.
On 30 August, HYDRAA filed a complaint against officials for facilitating illegal constructions in the buffer zone of Errakunta in Pragathi Nagar under Nizampet Municipal Corporation’s jurisdiction. Errakunta pond, which spans 3.033 acres, is government property. However, illegal constructions were permitted based on incorrect geo-coordinates. The municipal commissioner of Nizampet and other officials were accused of negligence and altering coordinates to benefit encroachers. Although the Telangana High Court allowed the constructions to proceed as long as they did not interfere with FTL identification, HYDRAA demolished the illegal structures on 15 August. Several government officials have been identified as complicit in these activities.
