HYDRA Hits Back at Kavitha Over Musi River Row, Says Verification Precautionary

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency has dismissed allegations made by K. Kavitha regarding construction activity near the Musi River , stating that the agency has acted strictly in accordance with legal procedures and is awaiting verification from revenue authorities. In a clarification issued on Monday, HYDRA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath said the agency had written to the Gandipet Tahsildar only as a precautionary step to verify certain doubts about construction undertaken by Aditya Builders near the river. The move, he said, followed observations from satellite imagery and DEM reports , which raised questions about whether the project might extend into the riverbed or the buffer zone along the Musi.

Ranganath explained that HYDRA sought a field inspection from the revenue authorities to confirm the exact boundaries of the construction site and determine whether it falls within restricted areas. However, the Revenue Department has not yet submitted its response, and the agency is currently waiting for the verification report . Officials clarified that seeking such confirmation from local authorities is a routine administrative procedure , especially in cases involving construction close to water bodies or floodplain areas .

The issue has a legal background as well. Earlier, permissions granted to Aditya Builders were cancelled during the previous government’s tenure following concerns that certain structures, including a compound wall , might fall within the Musi river’s buffer limits. The developer subsequently approached the Telangana High Court , arguing that the project was not located within the restricted zone. After examining reports submitted by the Revenue and Irrigation Departments , the High Court decided to restore construction permissions , allowing the developer to resume work. HYDRA officials said the current construction activity is taking place in accordance with the court’s orders .

The matter gained political attention after Kavitha questioned the construction and accused authorities of selective enforcement , alleging that action was being taken against houses of poor residents along riverbanks while alleged violations by private developers were being ignored. HYDRA, however, rejected the allegation and stated that it had already issued a clarification earlier but was compelled to respond again as the claims were repeated.

According to the agency, its communication with the Tahsildar was aimed only at reconfirming facts despite the High Court’s approval of the project. Officials emphasized that there has been no lapse on HYDRA’s part and that verifying the status of construction near environmentally sensitive zones like the Musi river is part of its mandate to ensure regulatory compliance and public safety . They added that any further action in the matter will depend on the findings of the revenue verification , which will determine whether the construction fully complies with the river’s buffer zone regulations .