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| - Visuals showing a bulldozer attempting to bring down a structure are being shared on social media to claim that the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) conducted this practice.
The claim: Those sharing wrote, "Demolition drive underway in West Marredpally near Mysamma Temple by Hydra officials. JCBs are being used to clear unauthorised constructions in the area." (sic.)
News outlet Munsif Digital shared this claim on their official X account.
Some context: On 22 November, HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath stated that the agency's main priority would be to stop new buildings from being built on lakes and deal with current encroachments.
He stated that the focus was to eliminate unauthorised businesses from drains and bodies of water. Current homes would remain untouched, but any unauthorised new buildings was unacceptable. He clarified the agency's intent was not to demolish everything, reported the Times of India.
(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)
Is this true?: No, the claim is false.
The demolition was conducted by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB).
Along with news reports, the deputy city planner confirmed the same to The Quint.
What we found: We divided the video into multiple keyframes and came across a post on X by the Deccan Chronicle. The visual was similar to that of the viral claim.
It noted, "The GHMC in a special drive with the support of law and order agencies have cleared encroachments in West Marredpally in Secunderabad."
Similarly, in its report, the daily noted that GHMC and SCB officials worked together to remove illegal constructions from sidewalks in West Marredpally, creating a safe passage for pedestrians.
The campaign focused on violations by businesses, such as pole signs, overhead displays, stairs, sheds, and other unauthorised structures. Authorities utilised construction equipment to disassemble and haul away these buildings.
It also mentioned that the people living in the neighbourhood welcomed the decision because the encroachments were causing trouble for pedestrians and leading to traffic issues.
The Quint spoke to GHMC's Deputy City Planner R Susmitha who confirmed to us that the viral visual showed the drive conducted by the municipality along with the SCB and police personnel in West Marredpally. She denied HYDRAA's involvement.
An Instagram page named "Hyderabad News Insta" also noted the demolition by GHMC. You can view the post here.
Conclusion: Visuals showing a bulldozer razing a structure is being linked to HYDRAA.
(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on , or e-mail it to us at and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories .)
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