HYDRAA reclaims public assets worth ₹1.10 lakh crore in under two years
Synopsis
HYDRAA has recovered public assets worth ₹1.10 lakh crore in under two years — a landmark enforcement record for Hyderabad. But the milestone is now overshadowed by CM Revanth Reddy's admission that he named the agency after a Nazi reference, setting off a political firestorm that opposition parties are using to demand its abolition.
Key Takeaways
HYDRAA has reclaimed and protected public assets worth over ₹1.10 lakh crore in less than two years of operation.
The agency has recovered more than 2,000 acres of government land from encroachments on lakes, nalas, parks, and open lands across Hyderabad .
HYDRAA is targeting a ₹2 lakh crore protection milestone within the next year.
Revanth Reddy triggered a controversy by saying he drew inspiration from Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in naming the agency.
Chandrasekhar Rao has vowed to scrap HYDRAA if his party returns to power.
Opposition parties have accused HYDRAA of targeting the homes of the poor in its demolition drives.
Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has reclaimed and protected public assets valued at over ₹1.10 lakh crore in less than two years of operation, the agency announced on Monday, 8 June. The milestone covers lakes, nalas, parks, government lands, and blue-green resources across Hyderabad that were previously threatened by encroachments and land-grabbing.
Scale of Reclamation
HYDRAA has so far recovered more than 2,000 acres of government land by removing encroachments on open lands, lakes, waterways, and parks. The agency described these assets as 'priceless public resources' that have been safeguarded for future generations. It expressed confidence in reaching the ₹2 lakh crore protection milestone within the next year, citing continued public support and sustained enforcement action.
What HYDRAA Said
In a statement marking the achievement, the agency said: 'Thank you to all the right and public-spirited people, and the media for supporting this great project for reclaiming, protecting and restoring blue-green resources that would have been otherwise knocked away by the unscrupulous land mafia.' The agency added that its core mission is to reclaim, protect, and restore — preserving Hyderabad's lakes, waterways, parks, and government lands for a sustainable future.
The Hitler Remark Controversy
The announcement comes amid a sharp political row triggered by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy's remarks at an event in Bengaluru on Saturday. Speaking in conversation with The Hindu Group Director N. Ram, Reddy said he drew inspiration from Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in naming the agency. 'HYDRAA is Hitler's favourite word. His core team, called HYDRAA, can assassinate anyone. So, I have taken inspiration from Hitler and named it HYDRAA,' he said. The comments triggered immediate backlash and a widening political debate over the agency's mandate and conduct.
Opposition Criticism and Political Backlash
HYDRAA, headed by IPS officer A.V. Ranganath, has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who have accused it of targeting the homes of economically weaker sections in its demolition drives. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao recently declared that if BRS returns to power, the first official decision would be to scrap the agency entirely. The Congress government in Telangana established HYDRAA in 2024 to protect public assets, manage disasters, and reclaim encroached lands across the city.
What Comes Next
With the agency targeting a ₹2 lakh crore protection milestone in the coming year, scrutiny over its methods is likely to intensify. The intersection of a significant enforcement record and a politically charged controversy over its origins means HYDRAA will remain at the centre of Telangana's political discourse in the months ahead.
Point of View
But the agency's credibility is now entangled with a remark its own political patron made. Revanth Reddy's Hitler reference — however loosely intended — hands the opposition a narrative weapon that is easier to wield than any counter-argument about recovered lakes or demolished encroachments. The deeper question the milestone does not answer is whether the demolitions have followed due process, especially for low-income residents who lack the legal firepower to contest them. An enforcement agency's legitimacy rests not just on how much it recovers, but on whether it acts within the law against all encroachers equally — a standard critics argue HYDRAA has yet to demonstrate conclusively.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has HYDRAA achieved in its first two years?
HYDRAA has reclaimed and protected public assets worth over ₹1.10 lakh crore and recovered more than 2,000 acres of government land from encroachments on lakes, nalas, parks, and open lands across Hyderabad since its establishment in 2024.
What is HYDRAA and why was it set up?
HYDRAA — the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency — was established by the Telangana Congress government in 2024 to protect public assets, manage disasters, and reclaim encroached lands across Hyderabad. It is headed by IPS officer A.V. Ranganath.
What controversy surrounds CM Revanth Reddy's remarks about HYDRAA?
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy sparked a political row after saying at a Bengaluru event that he drew inspiration from Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in naming HYDRAA. The remarks drew immediate backlash from opposition parties and triggered a wider debate about the agency's conduct.
Why is the BRS opposing HYDRAA?
BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has vowed to scrap HYDRAA if his party returns to power. Opposition parties, including BRS, have accused the agency of targeting the homes of economically weaker sections in its demolition drives.
What is HYDRAA's next target?
HYDRAA has stated it is confident of reaching a ₹2 lakh crore public asset protection milestone within the next year, building on its current ₹1.10 lakh crore record.
