Revanth Reddy vows to reclaim Hyderabad's Lakes through HYDRAA, blames land mafias for obstruction

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy vowed to restore Hyderabad’s lakes through the newly established Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA). He accused land mafias of obstructing these efforts.

He made the remarks while addressing the Praja Palana Dinotsavam celebrations at Public Gardens, marking the anniversary of Hyderabad’s merger with the Indian Union on Tuesday.

In his address, Revanth Reddy highlighted the urgent need to protect Hyderabad’s lakes and water bodies, stressing that environmental restoration was a top priority for his government.

Revanth Reddy explained that HYDRAA was formed to reclaim encroached lakes, ponds, and other water bodies across the city. He noted that Hyderabad, once celebrated as the “Lake City,” had suffered from years of neglect, which turned it into a flood-prone area. “The sins committed by previous rulers have turned our Lake City into a city of floods,” he said, blaming unchecked encroachments for the deteriorating condition of the city's natural resources. The Chief Minister warned that failing to restore these water bodies would have severe repercussions for future generations.

He criticised land mafias for trying to derail HYDRAA’s efforts, claiming they were using the struggles of the poor as an excuse to continue their encroachments. However, Revanth Reddy made it clear that HYDRAA was unstoppable and would continue to move forward with its mission. “There is no political dimension to HYDRAA. This is not about selfish interests. It is a mission to protect Hyderabad’s natural resources,” he asserted, urging the public to support this critical initiative.

The Chief Minister reminded the people of the significance of September 17, 1948, the day Hyderabad became part of the Indian Union. He noted that his government chose to observe the day as Praja Palana Dinotsavam (People’s Governance Day) to reflect the sacrifices made during the Telangana armed struggle and to honour the martyrs who fought for democracy. He explained that his administration decided against celebrating the day as Merger Day or Liberation Day, as his government wanted to ensure the event was inclusive of all people of Telangana. “The Telangana armed struggle was not limited to one region or one caste. It was a fight for the freedom and self-respect of all people,” he said.

Revanth Reddy said that the state government had taken several initiatives to restore Telangana’s heritage. He stated that his government had adopted the song “Jaya Jayahe Telangana” as the official anthem to reaffirm the state’s identity. He also revealed that a statue of Telangana Talli would be installed at the state Secretariat on December 9. Furthermore, the Koti Women’s University would be renamed after Chakali Ilamma, a prominent figure in the Telangana armed struggle. It had also been decided to present the film awards in the name of Telangana's Cultural Icon, Gaddar.

Turning to economic matters, the Chief Minister sharply criticised the previous administration for leaving behind a debt of Rs 7 lakh crore. Despite this financial burden, he reassured that his government was determined to fulfil the promises made in its election manifesto. He noted that his government had already begun paying off state debts, spending Rs 6,000 crore per month on interest payments alone. He also stressed that his administration was working hard to restructure the debt and plug revenue leakages. He pointed out that the Congress government had made it a priority to put the state’s finances back on track while also delivering on its welfare commitments.

Reddy highlighted several key welfare schemes that his government had implemented in its first six months. One of the major achievements he cited was the waiver of farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh for 22 lakh farmers, with a total of Rs 18,000 crore already deposited into farmers’ accounts. He challenged other governments to match his administration’s commitment to farmers' welfare. For women, he noted the success of the free bus travel scheme, which had benefitted 43 lakh women and saved them Rs 2,958 crore. In addition, the government had paid Rs 282 crore for subsidised cooking gas cylinders, benefitting 49 lakh families. He also announced that the state would build 4.5 lakh houses under the Indiramma housing scheme, with each house receiving Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance.

Focusing on youth welfare, the Chief Minister unveiled initiatives to provide greater opportunities for the state's younger generation. He announced the establishment of Telangana Young India Skill University and Telangana Young India Sports University, aimed at offering skill development and employment opportunities. Revanth Reddy also shared that 30,000 recruitment letters had already been issued to candidates selected for government jobs, with 11,000 teaching posts filled through the Teacher Recruitment Test (DSC). He assured that his administration was working tirelessly to address youth unemployment and create job opportunities.

Revanth Reddy also outlined his vision for positioning Telangana as a “Future State” capable of attracting international investments. He pointed to strategic projects such as the Fourth City at Begari Kancha and the Musi Riverfront Development project as key drivers of this vision. He explained that the riverfront development would not only beautify Hyderabad but also serve as an economic hub, providing livelihoods to thousands of small and middle-class traders.

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to making Hyderabad a “Clean State,” with HYDRAA playing a central role in this strategy. He stressed that reclaiming encroached lakes and restoring the city’s natural landscape was essential for Hyderabad’s future. Revanth Reddy called on the public to take collective action to ensure the success of the initiative, underlining that the preservation of lakes and water bodies was crucial to the city’s sustainability.

Additionally, Revanth Reddy discussed his administration’s focus on social justice and welfare for marginalised communities. He highlighted the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme, which aimed to provide Rs 1 lakh crore in loans to women over the next five years, as a significant step towards women's empowerment. He also announced a Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia payment for families of Gulf workers who lose their lives while working abroad. Moreover, the children of deceased Gulf workers would receive free education at Gurukul institutions.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the all-round development of Telangana. From youth empowerment and women’s self-reliance to farmer welfare and social upliftment, Revanth Reddy emphasised that his administration was working towards fulfilling the aspirations of Telangana's 4 crore people. He noted that Praja Palana Dinotsavam served as a reminder of the sacrifices made for Telangana's freedom and expressed his determination to continue the journey towards a prosperous and inclusive state