HYDRA represents a significant step forward in disaster management and
asset protection for Hyderabad. With its comprehensive mandate and
coordinated approach, the agency is set to enhance the city’s resilience
against disasters and ensure the protection of valuable public assets.
As HYDRA begins its operations, Hyderabad can look forward to a safer
and more secure urban environment.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRA)
Guidelines and Procedures has been Issued by the Telangana state
government to safeguard citizens from disasters, protect government
assets, and enforce strict regulations. This newly formed independent
body aims to enhance disaster response and asset protection across
Hyderabad, including the Outer Ring Road (ORR) area.
Key Responsibilities and Operational Scope
HYDRA’s
mission encompasses comprehensive disaster protection plans for GHMC
and the districts of Rangareddy, Sangareddy, and Medchal. The agency
will collaborate with national disaster response teams, weather
agencies, and the National Remote Sensing Agency to continually monitor
and respond to environmental threats. Key functions include:
- Establishing disaster response teams.
- Addressing complaints about encroachments on parks, open spaces, industrial areas, and water resources.
- Investigating and preventing illegal constructions and encroachments.
- Ensuring building compliance with safety regulations and removing hazardous structures.
- Collaborating with district collectors, GHMC commissioners, police
commissioners, and other departments for support and enforcement.
Organizational Structure of HYDRAA
HYDRAA
will operate under the Municipal Administration & Urban Development
(MA&UD) Department. The Commissioner, a senior officer of AIS, will
lead HYDRAA, functioning under the Principal Secretary to the
Government, MA&UD Department. The jurisdiction of HYDRAA includes
all areas within GHMC and extends up to the ORR, with possible future
adjustments by the government.
Core Functions of HYDRAA
HYDRAA
will have three main wings: Asset Protection, Disaster Management, and
Logistical Support, each with specific roles and responsibilities.
- Asset Protection Wing
- Safeguarding
local bodies’ and government’s assets, including parks, playgrounds,
lakes, roads, and footpaths, from encroachments.
- Collaborating with GHMC, local bodies, HMDA, and other departments for lake encroachment removal.
- Coordinating with local police for asset protection and necessary enforcement.
- Inspecting private premises for building and town planning regulations, removing unsafe structures endangering public safety.
- Enforcing regulations on unauthorized advertisements and ensuring compliance with permissions granted by local bodies.
- Disaster Management Wing
- Responding to disasters and emergencies through the Disaster Response Force (DRF) of HYDRAA.
- Coordinating with NDRF, SDMA, TG DR&FS, and other state and national disaster management agencies.
- Collaborating with technical agencies like the Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD) and National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) for timely
alerts and forewarnings.
- Managing emergencies in coordination with departments such as police, GHMC, HMWS&SB, HMDA, HMR, and other relevant bodies.
- Maintaining a database for risk assessment and disaster risk predictions.
- Issuing Fire NOCs as mandated by the Telangana Fire Services Act, 1999.
- Logistical Support Wing
- Handling staff recruitment, drafting, and other service matters.
- Managing office procedures and administration.
- Overseeing procurements and logistics for operations.
- Maintaining assets, equipment, and vehicles.
- Providing IT & GIS services and managing the Disaster Response Information System for the TCUR area.
- Conducting training, coordination, and community engagement in association with the Disaster Management Wing.
Additional Functions and Responsibilities
HYDRAA
will also focus on traffic coordination and management, particularly
during disasters, and collaborate with regular traffic police to manage
jams and stormwater issues. The agency will undertake training, capacity
building, and information, education, and communication (IEC)
initiatives. Coordination with various departments, including district
collectors, police commissions, and national defense forces, is also a
key responsibility.
Organizational and Field Team Structure
HYDRAA
will have a structured organization with necessary sub-divisions and
field teams, equipped with requisite materials, equipment, and vehicles.
Budget and Financial Modalities
The
budget for HYDRAA will include allocations from the government and
internal resources generated through contributions or fees from local
authorities like GHMC, HMDA, TGIIC, TGSPDCL, HMWSSB, and MRDCL. A
separate Head of Account will be created for this purpose.
Governing Body and Sub-Committee
A
Governing Body, chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, will provide
policy guidance and review HYDRAA’s functioning. A TCUR Disaster
Management Sub-Committee, formed under the National Disaster Management
Act, 2005, will assist the Governing Body in implementing disaster
management plans and policies, coordinating efforts, and monitoring
preparedness and response activities. This sub-committee will meet
monthly or as needed.
Transition of Existing Resources
Current
officers, staff, infrastructure, equipment, and vehicles under
EV&DM within GHMC will be transferred to HYDRAA, except for internal
vigilance and enforcement wings, which will remain with GHMC. The
Commissioner of HYDRAA will propose the necessary posts, staff, budget,
and vehicles to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
Asset Protection and Regulation Enforcement
HYDRA’s
Asset Protection Wing will focus on safeguarding public and government
properties from encroachments. This includes parks, playgrounds, lakes,
roads, and footpaths. The wing will also inspect private properties for
compliance with building and town planning regulations, taking necessary
actions against unauthorized structures and advertisements.
Disaster Management and Response
The
Disaster Management Wing will coordinate disaster response and relief
efforts during emergencies. This includes working with the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Management Authority
(SDMA), and other state and national agencies. The wing will also
maintain a database for future risk assessment and disaster predictions,
ensuring proactive measures are in place.
Logistics and Support
HYDRA’s
Logistics Support Wing will handle staff recruitment, administrative
procedures, procurement, and logistics for operations. This wing will
ensure the maintenance of assets, equipment, and vehicles, supporting
the agency’s operational readiness.
Traffic Coordination and Management
HYDRA
will also play a crucial role in traffic management, particularly
during emergencies such as waterlogging, road damage, and other
disaster-prone scenarios. The agency will coordinate with traffic police
to manage vehicular movement and mitigate congestion in affected areas.
Governing Structure
HYDRA’s
governing body will be chaired by the Chief Minister, with members
including the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister
and other key officials. This high-level committee will guide policy
decisions and oversee the agency’s strategic direction.
Establishing a Unified Disaster Management Agency
In
a significant move, the state government is also creating a single,
unified disaster management agency for the Telangana Core Urban Region
(TCUR). This region includes the entire GHMC area and the districts of
Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, and Sangareddy, extending up
to the ORR. The new agency aims to streamline disaster response and
enhance coordination across these regions.
HYDRAA GO 99 dated 19 July 2024 Download
Conclusion
HYDRA represents a significant step
forward in disaster management and asset protection for Hyderabad. With
its comprehensive mandate and coordinated approach, the agency is set
to enhance the city’s resilience against disasters and ensure the
protection of valuable public assets. As HYDRA begins its operations,
Hyderabad can look forward to a safer and more secure urban environment.
SOURCE
Hyderabad has seen the
rise of a new government body that's making big waves, which is the
Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency, or HYDRA.
Established by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, HYDRA has a clear mission,
to reclaim government lands that have been illegally occupied, protect
the city’s ponds, and act as a safeguard against human and urban
disasters.
https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/hyderabad/hydra-is-shaking-up-hyderabad-900046