Kavitha Questions HYDRAA Inaction Over Salkam Cheruvu Encroachments

BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Friday questioned the alleged inaction of government and HYDRAA authorities regarding unauthorized constructions within the Full Tank Level (FTL) and buffer zone of Salkam Cheruvu lake in the old city of Hyderabad.

Kavitha criticized the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) for its approach to handling encroachments on water bodies. She emphasized the critical need to protect lakes and demanded accountability from government agencies over the alleged delays.

The dispute involves the Barrister Fatima Owaisi Educational KG-PG Campus, which is managed by the Salar-e-Millat Educational Trust. Allegations have been raised that structures belonging to the campus were built within the FTL and buffer zone of the Salkam Cheruvu lake.

The issue escalated to the Telangana High Court after advocate Vijay Gopal filed a petition. The petitioner accused civic and lake protection authorities of failing to take action against the construction and requested court intervention to protect the lake and remove unauthorized structures.

During a court hearing on Thursday, the Telangana government informed the High Court that no constructions would be allowed within the FTL limits of Salkam Cheruvu. Officials assured the court that appropriate action would be taken if any violations were confirmed.

The High Court has been actively reviewing the case, previously questioning officials about the permissions granted to the educational campus. The court had also demanded complete records concerning land status, statutory clearances, and approvals, expressing concern over the delay in submitting these reports.

The Salar-e-Millat Educational Trust was founded in May 2006 under the chairmanship of Akbaruddin Owaisi, the AIMIM MLA for Chandrayangutta. The trust currently operates 11 schools providing free education to more than 15,000 underprivileged students.

In response to the controversy, Akbaruddin Owaisi defended the institutions and alleged that they were being unfairly targeted. He stated that the trust would protect its campuses and would not yield to threats, asserting that they would build more schools if any were demolished.