The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (commonly known by its acronym HYDRAA) is a statutory body in Hyderabad responsible for the protection of public property and disaster management in the city.
It was formed in July 2024 by reorganising the city's Enforcement Vigilance and Disaster Management Department (EV&DM). Senior Indian Police Service officer Inspector-General AV Ranganath was appointed as its Commissioner the same month.
Formation
As Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy was vocal against residential and commercial builders encroaching on lakes and other public property.
The Telangana government established the agency by way of an order on 19 July 2024.
Composition
The agency consists of three wings; namely, the Asset Protection Wing, Disaster Management Wing, and the Loigistics Support Wing.
Asset Protection Wing
The Asset Protection Wing is tasked with protecting government assets and public property such as parks, open spaces, playgrounds, lakes, carriageways, and footpaths from encroaching structures. It coordinates with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the two police forces in the city (the Hyderabad City Police and Cyberabad Police) to carry out its duties.
Disaster Management Wing
The Disaster Management Wing deals with disaster response and operates a Disaster Response Force (DRF) to manage and respond to disasters. It cooperates with national and regional disaster response agencies like the National Disaster Response Force and the Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Service, the state's fire brigade.
Logistics Support Wing
The Logistics Support Wing carries out staff recruitment and administrative duties for the agency.
References
- Rachavelpula, Kausalya (2024-08-16). "HYDRA Is Shaking Up Hyderabad". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- Sunku, Durga Prasad (2024-08-26). "HYDRAA Chief AV Ranganath: The city's new vigilante and his journey so far". Hyderabad Mail. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
- ^ Municipal Administration & Urban Development Department, Government of Telangana (19 July 2024). "Establishment of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) for TCUR (Telangana Core Urban Region)for the purpose of disaster management, asset protection and other functions" (PDF). prabhanews.com. Retrieved 13 October 2024.