The Telangana High Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), affirming its establishment under the Telangana Irrigation Act and the Water, Land, and Tree Act (WALTA) of 2002.
The judgment supports the government’s efforts to address encroachments on the Musi riverbed as part of the Musi Rejuvenation Project.
A bench of the High Court reviewed 46 petitions challenging the authority of the state government to form HYDRAA. The petitions primarily questioned the agency’s mandate to target illegal constructions and encroachments on public spaces, particularly along the Musi riverbed. The court ruled that the formation and functioning of HYDRAA are legally sound and directed the agency to conduct a comprehensive survey of encroachments in the area.
The judgment also underscored the need for a balanced approach in implementing the project. It urged authorities to ensure that displaced settlers, particularly underprivileged communities, are rehabilitated under appropriate government schemes. Simultaneously, it called for legal action against encroachers under the Telangana Irrigation Act and WALTA 2002. The court further directed authorities to take measures to prevent sewage contamination from affecting the river.
HYDRAA is an independent body constituted by the current Congress-led Telangana government under Government Order 99 issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development ministry.
Critics argue that HYDRAA’s operations, including demolition drives to clear illegal constructions, risk displacing vulnerable communities. Activists have expressed concern over the pace of these actions, suggesting that affected residents are not being given adequate time or support for rehabilitation under government schemes. They warn that eviction without proper resettlement plans could exacerbate social inequalities. The opposition parties like the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have opposed HYDRAA saying that the agency is being used for politically motivated actions.