HYDRA Commissioner AV Ranganath A New Era of Land Protection in Hyderabad

Introduction:

AV Ranganath HYDRA the Commissioner of Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA), has become a formidable force against land grabbers in Hyderabad. Since taking on the role in June, Ranganath has aggressively tackled illegal encroachments and unauthorized constructions on government land and water body limits.

Formation and Role of HYDRA

HYDRA was established by the newly appointed Congress Government to oversee and manage various public services within Greater Hyderabad up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, personally overseeing HYDRA’s formation, appointed the experienced 53-year-old IPS officer, AV Ranganath, to lead this initiative.

Key Responsibilities and Actions

During the inaugural HYDRA meeting, CM Reddy emphasized that the organization should handle disaster management, protect government properties, curb encroachments, address illegal constructions, and assist in essential services like water and electricity supply, and traffic management.

Under Ranganath’s leadership, HYDRA has made impressive strides. In just one month, the agency has reclaimed around 100 acres of government land and dismantled illegal constructions around key water bodies such as Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, Errakunta, and Bam Rukn Ud-Dowlah.

Controversies and Opposition

HYDRA’s swift actions have ruffled feathers among some of Hyderabad’s influential figures. Senior MLA Danam Nagendar has publicly criticized HYDRA for pursuing a case against him related to land issues in Nandagiri Hills. Additionally, the AIMIM party, led by the Owaisi family, has called for HYDRA’s dissolution.

Despite facing resistance from politicians and other powerful individuals, AV Ranganath has maintained a resolute stance. His commitment to carrying out his duties without yielding to political pressure underscores his reputation as a tough and principled officer.

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Also Read: HYDRA Guidelines and Procedures: Latest News Updates HYDRA in Telangana.

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The career highlights and achievements of AV Ranganath:

Category	Details
Batch and Cadre Entry	1996-batch Group I officer, entered IPS cadre in 2006
Career Duration	28 years
Key Roles	– Greyhounds Assault Commander
	– SP of Khammam and Nalgonda districts
Notable Award	President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (2012)
High-Profile Assignments	– Hyderabad City Traffic Chief
	– Warangal Police Commissioner
Key Achievements	– Tackled left-wing extremism
	– High-profile arrests (e.g., Medico Preethi’s death incident, Bandi Sanjay case)
	– Crackdown on traffic violations
Current Role	HYDRA Commissioner
Current Focus	Combating land grabbers and encroachments in Hyderabad

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Background and Achievements

A 1996-batch Group I officer, AV Ranganath entered the IPS cadre in 2006. With a distinguished career spanning 28 years, he has held significant roles, including Greyhounds Assault Commander and SP of Khammam and Nalgonda districts. Notably, he was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry in 2012 for his efforts against left-wing extremism.

Ranganath’s career also includes high-profile assignments such as Hyderabad City Traffic Chief and Warangal Police Commissioner. His track record of tackling tough situations and high-profile cases, including arrests related to significant incidents and cracking down on traffic violations, has solidified his reputation as a formidable law enforcement officer.

Now, as the HYDRA Commissioner, AV Ranganath continues to challenge land grabbers and encroachers, bringing a new level of accountability and efficiency to Hyderabad’s land management efforts.

HYDRA’s Current Challenge: Rising Complaints of Encroachments

Recently, several under-construction lake-view villas in the Erla Cheruvu buffer zone within the Chandanagar Circle were demolished. These villas had received both building permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), typically issued upon completion of construction. According to HYDRA data, the organization now receives an average of 100 complaints related to encroachments daily. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) manages 185 lakes within its jurisdiction, while there are 400 lakes within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) reports that some of these lakes are encroached upon by up to 60%, with others experiencing up to 80% occupation.

The information about the lakes and encroachments:

Category	Details
Recent Action	Demolition of under-construction villas in Erla Cheruvu buffer zone
Approval Status	Villas had building permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued by GHMC
Current Complaint Volume	Average of 100 encroachment complaints received daily
Lakes within GHMC Limits	185 lakes
Lakes within ORR Limits	400 lakes
Extent of Encroachment (NRSC Report)	Some lakes encroached up to 60%, others up to 80%

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Also Read: HYDRA in Telangana: Revolutionizing Disaster Management and Asset Protection

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Conclusion:

AV Ranganath, as the HYDRA Commissioner, has emerged as a relentless force in Hyderabad’s fight against land encroachments and illegal constructions. His unwavering commitment to upholding the law, even in the face of significant political pushback, demonstrates his dedication to protecting the city’s resources and public properties. Under his leadership, HYDRA has not only reclaimed substantial government land but also set a precedent for strict enforcement of urban land management. As HYDRA continues its mission, the agency is poised to bring about lasting change in Hyderabad’s landscape, ensuring that the city’s growth does not come at the cost of its natural resources and public spaces.

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