Telangana CM speaks on HYDRAA demolitions

HYDERABAD: Categorically stating that he would not bow to pressure and would continue to take strict action against illegal structures built in the full reservoir level (FTL) of lakes, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said he had taken inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita to demolish illegal constructions.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Kokapet on Sunday, the CM stressed that the government was committed to removing encroachments on lakes and government land. He said several rich people have built structures in the FTL and diverted drainage water to Gandipet and other lakes that supply drinking water to Hyderabad. “If I do not take any action, it will be construed as a failure as a representative of the people. That is why I formed HYDRAA and took action despite several pressures,” he said.

Speaking about the Gita, the chief minister said that during the Kurukshetra War, Arjuna dropped his weapons and refused to fight in the battle as he was not willing to kill his brothers to rule the kingdom.

At that time, Krishna encouraged Arjuna to join the battle to protect Dharma, he added. “Krishna and Arjuna protected Dharma, which later protected us. Taking inspiration from the Gita, I am demolishing illegal structures to protect natural resources,” he said.

He noted that the Nizams made Hyderabad a city of lakes. “Some farms were built near these lakes and ponds, which quenched the thirst of millions of people,” he added, pointing out that the waste water from the farms is discharged into Gandipet Lake and Himayatsagar, which supply drinking water to Hyderabad.