HYDRAA

The Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (commonly known by its acronym HYDRAA) is a statutory body in Hyderabad responsible for the protection of public property and disaster management in the city.

Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA)

హైడ్రా (HYDRAA)
Agency overview
Formed	July 19, 2024 (2024-07-19)
Jurisdiction	Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR), including Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Rangareddy, Medchal Malkajgiri, and Sangareddy districts up to Outer Ring Road (ORR)
Headquarters	Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Agency executive	AV Ranganath, IPS, Commissioner
Parent department	Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Government of Telangana
Footnotes
HYDRAA has three wings: Asset Protection, Disaster Management, and Logistics Support. It is responsible for disaster response, asset protection, encroachment removal, inspection, and coordination with other agencies.

It was formed in July 2024 by reorganising the city's Enforcement Vigilance and Disaster Management Department (EV&DM). Senior Indian Police Service officer Inspector-General AV Ranganath was appointed as its Commissioner the same month.

Formation

As Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy was vocal against residential and commercial builders encroaching on lakes and other public property.

The Telangana government established the agency by way of an order on 19 July 2024.

Composition

The agency consists of three wings; namely, the Asset Protection Wing, Disaster Management Wing, and the Loigistics Support Wing.

Asset Protection Wing

The Asset Protection Wing is tasked with protecting government assets and public property such as parks, open spaces, playgrounds, lakes, carriageways, and footpaths from encroaching structures. It coordinates with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the two police forces in the city (the Hyderabad City Police and Cyberabad Police) to carry out its duties.

Disaster Management Wing

The Disaster Management Wing deals with disaster response and operates a Disaster Response Force (DRF) to manage and respond to disasters. It cooperates with national and regional disaster response agencies like the National Disaster Response Force and the Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Service, the state's fire brigade.

Logistics Support Wing

The Logistics Support Wing carries out staff recruitment and administrative duties for the agency.

Police Station

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) inaugurated its first dedicated police station on May 8, 2025, at Buddha Bhavan in Secunderabad. Spread over 10,500 square feet, the station is headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and staffed with 6 inspectors, 12 sub-inspectors, and 30 constables specifically deputed to handle cases related to land encroachments, forgery, damage to public property, and disaster response within HYDRAA’s jurisdiction. To support its enforcement and rapid response duties, the station is equipped with a fleet of 70 vehicles, including DCMs, Scorpio cars, and motorcycles. This specialized police station enables quicker registration and investigation of cases involving illegal occupation and damage to government assets such as lakes, parks, roads, and drainage systems.

The establishment of the HYDRAA police station strengthens the agency’s mandate to protect public property and prevent urban flooding caused by blocked drainage and encroachments. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy emphasized the importance of firm action against wealthy encroachers while urging compassion for vulnerable populations affected by removals. He also announced plans to expand the HYDRAA policing system across Telangana, setting up similar stations in all districts to intensify surveillance and enforcement against land-related crimes. This development marks a significant step in Hyderabad’s efforts to safeguard its heritage, improve civic management, and enhance disaster preparedness.