HYDRAA to take up revival of 14 lakes soon at ₹303 crore: Sridhar Babu

HYDERABAD

The State government has finalised plans for the restoration of 14 additional lakes at an estimated cost of ₹303 crore, said IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu. He said that the government had initiated restoration of water bodies in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits under the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) aimed at ecological restoration and enforcement of rule of law.

Addressing the Assembly during the debate on the Demands for Grants on Saturday, the Minister said six lakes were taken up for revival in the first phase at a cost of ₹116 crore, with visible progress already achieved

Defending HYDRAA against criticism, Mr. Sridhar Babu made it clear that no exemptions would be granted in enforcement, stating that structures obstructing water flow, irrespective of ownership, would face action. “No one is above the law,” he said, adding that the exercise was intended to ensure equality before the law and protect public resources.

The Minister also said the government was prepared to present facts regarding Mission Kakatiya taken up by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.

Launching a strong attack on the Opposition, particularly the BRS, Mr. Sridhar Babu accused it of lacking sincerity and resorting to walkouts to avoid substantive debate. He alleged that the party had failed to deliver tangible benefits to Backward Classes (BCs) during its decade in power and therefore had no moral authority to comment on BC welfare.

He said the present government, guided by the vision of Rahul Gandhi, was committed to strengthening BC reservations and remained open to constructive suggestions. The Opposition, he alleged, was criticising the government’s initiatives out of political motives.

Referring to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), he said the previous regime had weakened the system, whereas the present government was working towards restoring it to financial stability. He also criticised the Opposition for its handling of RTC employees’ strike during its tenure.