Government will demolish all encroachments at Lakes across the state, says Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

Sep 03, 2024

Mahabubabad (Telangana) [India], September 3 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed serious concern that natural calamities such as floods, landslides, and torrential rains in Uttarakhand and Telangana are the result of environmental destruction, according to an official release on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister stated that nature retaliates when the ecosystem is disrupted. He mentioned that heavy rains have inundated colonies due to the encroachment of lakes and ponds. In response to demands for expanding HYDRA activities across the state, the CM ordered officials to develop an action plan for every area.
CM Revanth Reddy emphasised that removing encroachments around lakes across the state is a top priority, and the government will not hesitate to demolish encroachments on all water bodies. He directed officials to prepare a report on the encroachment of ponds and lakes and to resolve any pending court cases. The Chief Minister cited the recent example of how the Ram Nagar area in Hyderabad was made safe from floods by removing encroachments on the Nala.
The Chief Minister also visited the house of young scientist Nunawat Ashwini and her father Motilal, who tragically died when their car was washed away in the floods at the Akeru River in Gangaram Thanda of Singareni Mandal. The CM paid floral tributes to the photos of Ashwini and Motilal and consoled Ashwini's mother, Neji, and other family members. He assured them that he would look into the possibility of providing a government job to Ashwini's younger brother, Ashok, and also promised that a house under the Indiramma scheme would be allotted to the family.
The Chief Minister assured that a scientific survey would be conducted on the Akeru River. Residents of Sitaram Thanda informed the CM that their area is flooded every time the Akeru River overflows. After consoling Ashwini's family, CM Revanth Reddy visited the damaged culvert and roads at the overflowing Akeru Vagu in Mahbubabad district and inspected the location where Ashwini and her father Motilal's car were swept away. The CM asked locals if similar incidents had occurred in the past.
Local resident Jarpula Laxman informed the CM that they face difficulties every time the river overflows, cutting off the road. The Chief Minister then visited Sitaram Thanda, which was flooded by the Akeru Vagu. He consoled those whose houses were submerged and enquired about their problems. The residents explained that their Thanda, along with two others, spent sleepless nights during heavy rains and requested the Chief Minister to ensure their safety. The CM assured them that the government would merge the three Thandas and build a model colony in one location, with Indiramma houses also being granted. The Chief Minister instructed officials to file FIRs and issue new cards, certificates, and passbooks to those who lost them in the floods.
The Chief Minister also promised to construct a new bridge after a scientific assessment of the water flow in the river and to arrange for water to be diverted to nearby ponds. Farmers were assured compensation of Rs. 10,000 per acre for crop damages caused by the Akeru River flood.