Posh poolside resort culture of Hyderabad’s Richie Rich in the eye of storm

Escaping from the hustle and bustle of the fast-growing urban congestion, the Richie rich of Hyderabad are increasingly opting for resorts offering serene and luxurious living that offer a range of amenities. But they are eating up the vital water bodies of the over 400-year-old city of Nizams. The wealthier segment is increasingly identifying itself as a distinct social class above the ordinary. It is drifting away from the lower income groups. The rise in income levels has indeed contributed to the creation of neo-royal sector. The phenomenon has added to the trend of farmhouses culture.  It has a telling effect on the buffer zone of the city’s iconic twin reservoirs, Gandipet (Osman Sagar) and Himayat Sagar.

The cost of such luxury living can be significant, not just financially but also in terms of its strain on the ecosystem. Hundreds of the resorts with lakeside vacation have sprung up over the years in violation of the buffer zone norms. These areas, once known for their serene and natural beauty, are now seeing a surge in construction activity. The construction of farmhouses has already resulted in considerable deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and increased water pollution.

Besides the twin reservoirs, hundreds of water bodies that dotted the city landscape had become a casualty forcing the state to initiate measures to reverse the trend. HYDRA  is the  new regulatory and enforcement agency that came into existence with the sole agenda of protecting the water bodies of the city from encroachments has started giving sleepless nights to those owning the resorts constructed sans valid permissions. It had reported demolished some 37 such structures.

One such property- Janawada farm house in possession of the BRS working president and former Minister for Municipal Administration, K T Rama Rao was in the eye of the storm. Amid reports that the Congress government was firm on demolishing the guest house, the BRS leaders came up with a clarification that he owned no farmhouse in the city. He, however, admitted that he had a farmhouse on lease for the past eight years. It was owned by one of his friends, he claimed. He offered to cooperate for demolition of the building if it was found to be built in violation of any norms.  

But at the same time, he sought to know from the government what would it be doing with the farmhouses owned by the Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Minister for Revenue, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Chairman of the State Legislative council, Gutta Sukhender Reddy. He offered to share the satellite pictures of the Chief Minister’s farmhouse with the media. The likes of G Vivek, member of the legislative assembly and Madu Yaski Goud, former MP too owned beautiful guest house in the midst of water spread, he stated.

Over 400-year-old Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies 650 square km on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River. It is the fifth most populous city in India after Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore ad Kolkata. The farmhouse culture can indeed offer a peaceful retreat and a serene connection to nature, which only the affluent can afford. But at what cost?

HYDRA and its chief haunting land sharks

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA) is a newly established initiative in Hyderabad aimed at managing disasters and protecting government properties. It was formed to address the city’s rapid expansion and the associated challenges, such as encroachments and illegal constructions.

The chief of HYDRA, AV Ranganath, has gained a reputation for his uprightness and strict enforcement of laws. Since his appointment, he has led significant efforts to reclaim government land and remove illegal structures, particularly around lakes and other water bodies. Despite facing resistance from powerful individuals and politicians, Ranganath has remained steadfast in his duties, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the law and protecting public assets.

Ranganath’s leadership has been marked by his refusal to yield to political pressure, earning him respect and recognition for his integrity and dedication. His actions have not only protected valuable public resources but also set a strong example of principled governance in the face of challenges.