"hyderabad-news"

High profit margins in cannabis are attracting small-time criminals in Hyderabad’s Mangaru Basthi and Fatehnagar. Smuggling ganja from Maharashtra and Karnataka, families target daily wage workers and auto drivers. Crackdowns by the Prohibition and Excise Department aim to curb the trade.

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to rescue 16 Indians, including three from Hyderabad, who were deceived with false job offers in Thailand and forced into slave-like conditions on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Katora Houz, a 16th-century heritage tank at Golconda Fort, once filled with rose water and surrounded by gardens, now lies neglected and used as a garbage dumping site. Locals urge authorities to restore this historic architectural gem.

The ITC WOW Awards 2025–26 recognised students, schools, colleges, and corporates for supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission. Over 1.15 lakh students contributed around 1,200 metric tons of dry waste, with awards presented by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and ITC officials.

Neglect and garbage dumping have turned the historic Katora Houz near Golconda Fort into a cesspool. Hyderabad-based NGO SAHE, with support from HYDRAA and archaeology officials, has initiated efforts to restore and protect the centuries-old water body.

South Central Railway has introduced new parking and traffic measures at Secunderabad railway station as part of redevelopment works. Parking is restricted on Platform No 1, while controlled access and paid basement parking are available on the Platform No 10 side to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, successfully restored vision in a patient with a critical retinal detachment. Despite a delayed diagnosis and high risk of vision loss, advanced retinal surgery led to steady recovery, with doctors continuing follow-up care.

The Indian Green Building Council and GHMC organised a stakeholder consultation in Hyderabad to discuss water discharge, waste and stormwater management. Officials and experts highlighted the need for integrated planning, flood resilience and sustainable infrastructure to build a water-secure city.

As part of Republic Day celebrations 2026, the Railway Protection Force organised a brass band performance at Begumpet railway station in Hyderabad. The event, attended by officials and staff, aimed to promote patriotism and was well received by passengers and the public.

HCES 2023–24 data reveal a sharp shift in Telangana from beedis to gutkha, with rural and urban households spending heavily on tobacco products. Public health experts warn the trend, driven by poverty and work conditions, could worsen nutrition and health outcomes.

A five-year-old boy was injured after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs while playing outside his home in Suraram. Residents rescued the child and shifted him to hospital. Locals have raised concerns over rising stray dog attacks in the area.

Parents of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, have complained to the Chief Minister over steep fee hikes of up to 141 per cent in four years and the absence of a PTA. They have sought an audit, regulatory oversight and rejection of unethical fee increases.

Authorities launched a cleanup drive at Durgam Cheruvu, deploying heavy machinery to remove weeds and hyacinth after pollution concerns were highlighted. Sewer line works have also begun to stop sewage inflow, and water quality tests will follow upon completion.

Several major junctions in Hyderabad, including KBR Park and Jubilee Hills Check Post, lack zebra crossings, making road crossing unsafe during peak hours. Commuters have urged GHMC to prioritise road safety by repainting and maintaining pedestrian markings, especially after heavy rains fade them.

KPHB police arrested two unqualified technicians at MedQuest Diagnostic Centre after a woman died during a CT scan last year. The DMHO found their certificates to be fake. Authorities suspect negligence, as the patient developed complications following a dye contrast injection.

Saidabad police arrested Sai Charan, the driver accused of a hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist Sunil Kumar on Champapet Road. The car dragged the motorcycle for about 50 metres. Charan was arrested four days after the incident while he was absconding.

South Central Railway operated 209 special trains between January 7 and 18 to manage the Sankranti travel rush. SCR carried about one crore passengers, nearly 10 lakh more than last year, and strengthened crowd control, ticketing and security arrangements across major stations.

Over 200 contract and outsourcing healthcare workers staged a protest at ESIC Hospital, Nacharam, demanding release of salaries pending for five months. Workers blamed delays in fund release and lapses by outsourcing agencies for the crisis.

The Hyderabad Literary Festival 2026 will be held from January 24 to 26 at Hitec City, featuring literature, climate conversations and music. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma will inaugurate the event, with Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi as guest of honour.

A major fire broke out in a provision store at the Monda Market area in Secunderabad on Wednesday evening. No casualties were reported. Fire officials suspect a short circuit, and swift action prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby shops.