HYDRAA asks BHEL not to obstruct Rayasamudram Cheruvu works

HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath has asked BHEL not to obstruct the beautification of Rayasamudram Cheruvu, stating that lakes are public assets. He said development works would proceed without demolishing houses or inconveniencing the public.

Sangareddy: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency Commissioner AV Ranganath has asked Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) not to hinder the proposed beautification works of Rayasamudram Cheruvu in RC Puram mandal.

Though the lake falls under BHEL’s purview, Ranganath said guidelines clearly state that lakes are public property. Despite the government sanctioning funds for development of the lake, BHEL management was obstructing the works, citing encroachments into the lake in the name of development, he said.

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Accompanied by officials from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, the Irrigation Department and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Ranganath inspected the lake. The lake, spread over about 120 acres, has the potential to be developed into a major recreation spot, he said.

Speaking to reporters, Ranganath, citing Supreme Court judgments and various Acts, said BHEL should not intervene in the matter as lakes are community assets, even if they fall within gated communities. He said HMDA or other stakeholders were empowered to take up modernisation works.

Stating that BHEL officials lacked clarity on this aspect, Ranganath said HYDRAA would write to the BHEL Chairman and Managing Director. Following requests from local residents urging the agency to take up beautification works, he would also write to the government in this regard.

The Commissioner said plans were in place to develop the lake into a recreation spot, with facilities such as a children’s play area, a walking track along the lake and treatment of the water. He said encroachments blocking the outlet nala of the lake would be removed, but houses already built would not be touched, even if they were on the full tank level.

Reiterating that HYDRAA was not taking up demolition of houses built on the FTL, Ranganath said the works would be carried out without causing any inconvenience to the public.