HYDRAA probes ‘encroachment’ of Musi by real estate project developer 

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) has begun investigation into the allegations of encroachment by a well-known real estate developer onto the Musi river at Manchirevula village, by the Narisingi exit of the Outer Ring Road. Also coming into question is the erasure of a natural course of water emptying into the river at the location.

A team from HYDRAA visited the construction site of the luxury apartment complex on Tuesday, to ascertain the exact location of the project vis-a-vis the Maximum Flood Level (MFL) of the river.

While allegations of encroachment have been levelled ever since the project was started, none of the authorities concerned have ever confirmed the same. It is reported that the project was accorded permission by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, which was later cancelled, prompting the builder to approach the High Court and get a favourable order for the construction.

When questioned about the alleged infringement during a media conference previously, HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed replied that the builder was using the buffer zone of the river to station his equipment, which was not against the rules as it was a private land.

However, during the recent heavy rains, when 35,000 cusecs of surplus water was released from the twin reservoirs into the Musi river, the cellars under construction at the site were reportedly submerged, which re-ignited the allegations about the encroachment.

HYDRAA chief A.V. Ranganath confirmed the same.

“Drone images were captured wherein it can be seen that the river water entered the cellars of the structures. Prima facie, there seems to be valid ground for the allegations, which is why we are investigating into the matter,” Mr. Ranganath said.

In 1908, when Musi river experienced the most devastating floods, the flow was recorded as 4.5 lakh cusecs. Following the floods, the twin reservoirs of Osmansagar and Himayatsagar were constructed to contain the flow in case of floods. Irrigation experts say that the river could easily carry 60,000 cusecs of water within its MFL.

Asked if there was any breach of the river’s MFL as demarcated by the Irrigation department officials, Mr. Ranganath said there were suspicions about the boundary being compromised to accommodate the project. One more aspect of inquiry is about erasure of a natural water channel which flowed into the river through the project site.

A search of the Google historical satellite images clearly shows the water channel flowing through the site to merge with the river. An image as recent as November, 2022 clearly shows the river’s flow as well as the channel emptying into the river, while the channel disappears in the latest image, and the area of the river’s flow being filled up and levelled by the project.