HYDRAA dismantles illegal groundwater extraction network in Hyderabad

The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) conducted a large-scale operation on October 24 to dismantle an illegal groundwater extraction network near Sunnam Cheruvu in Madhapur. Working alongside the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, the Revenue Department, and police, officials used earthmoving machinery to remove unauthorized pipelines and more than 10 borewell connections.

During the crackdown, officials discovered an unusual illegal borewell concealed beneath a mattress in a residential bedroom. These borewells were reportedly part of a long-running water racket used to extract groundwater and supply it via tankers for commercial sale at high prices.

The operation also addresses significant public health concerns. Authorities noted that the illegal pipes were often laid through sewage and garbage, posing a contamination risk. This follows previous reports from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board, which identified excessive levels of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and nickel, in groundwater samples near the lake. The crackdown occurs as restoration work on the lake nears completion, with an official inauguration expected by late October or early November.