Hyderabad: A Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) official was caught red-handed by his wife when he was with another woman at Warsiguda in Secunderabad on Friday, February 21.

The wife, Kalyani, grew suspicious when her husband Janakiram, a GHMC joint commissioner, spent long hours away from home citing work-related issues.

Her suspicion grew stronger when he spent long hours over the phone. Kalyani decided to take matters into her own hands and began monitoring his movements.

On Friday, Kalyani along with her relatives arrived at an apartment in Warsiguda and caught the GHMC official with the woman.

Upon seeing the two together, a raged Kalyani and her relatives thrashed Janakiram. While he was getting pounded by the relatives, the alleged woman hid inside the bathroom.

After being alerted, the Warasiguda police reached the spot, rescued them and shifted to the police station.

“Kalyani married Janakiram six years ago. However, she alleged that he harassed her for not having children and started having affairs,” the Warsiguda police released a statement.

The woman alleged that Janakiram has been involved in extramarital affairs with other female colleagues in the past.

A video of Kalyani and her relatives confronting and beating the GHMC official has gone viral on social media.

A case has been registered and further investigations are underway.

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Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C Sudharshan Reddy on Friday, February 21, held a video conference district collectors to review poll preparations for the upcoming MLC elections scheduled for February 27.

The collectors briefed the CEO about election readiness, including assured facilities at polling stations, webcasting arrangements, micro observers appointment, training to polling personnel, ballot boxes overhauling etc apart from security measures at polling stations and strong rooms where polled ballot boxes will be stored for the Telangana MLC elections.

“They assured that 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance have been arranged for these facilities. The CEO also emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate facilities at polling booths and maintaining effective coordination among polling officials , distribution of voter slips , micro observer’s training and their deployment etc,” said a press release from the Telangana CEO’s office on the MLC elections.

The Biennial MLC elections will be held in the following constituencies:

1. Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ Constituency
2. Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar & Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers’ Constituencies
3. Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Teachers’ Constituency

Sangareddy, Medak, Siddipet, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Adilabad, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Hanumakonda, Mahabubabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jangaon, Mulugu, Peddapalli, Rajanna Sircilla, Jagtial, and Warangal collectors attended the meeting.

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Hyderabad: GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL) on Friday, February 21, announced the launch of new flight services connecting Hyderabad and Madinah in Saudi Arabia, operated by India’s low-cost airline, IndiGo.

The inaugural flight took off on Thursday, February 20, with great enthusiasm, with senior officials from GHIAL present for the occasion.

The new service from Hyderabad airport will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, reinforcing IndiGo’s commitment to enhancing international connectivity for travellers. The flight duration is approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes.

Scheduled flight details:

This marks IndiGo’s 38th international destination and its 128th overall.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO of GMR GHIAL, Pradeep Panicker, welcomed IndiGo’s inaugural flight to Madinah, emphasizing its role in expanding connectivity and providing seamless travel for passengers.

Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, Vinay Malhotra, emphasised that the new direct flights to Madinah from the Hyderabad airport will enhance religious and cultural ties between India and Saudi Arabia.

“IndiGo now operates over 100 weekly flights to four Saudi destinations, committed to offering affordable and seamless travel,” he added.

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Hyderabad: Bhopal police arrested a man identified as Vikas Jaiswal in Hyderabad for the murder of his friend Sandeep Prajapati. The accused who had been absconding for two months, was traced to Hyderabad, where he was working as a truck driver under a false identity.

The case began on December 3, 2024, when Sandeep’s father, Suraj Prajapati, filed a missing complaint in Bhopal. The same day, Sandeep’s sister Vandana received a threatening call from Jaiswal, demanding Rs1 lakh for her brother’s release. She recorded the conversation and alerted the police.

Four days later, Sandeep’s body was discovered in Delawadi forest, Sehore district. Police soon identified Jaiswal as the prime suspect.

Upon launching an investigation, a police team tracked the accused to Hyderabad leading to his arrest.

During interrogation, the accused confessed that he wanted to marry Sandeep’s cousin Vandana, but Sandeep opposed the match. In retaliation, he conspired with his associates, Utkarsh Chaudhary and Adarsh Chaudhary, to kidnap and murder Sandeep before demanding a ransom to mislead the police.

The accused also admitted to having been married five times and maintaining relationships with multiple women across different states.

Further investigation is ongoing.

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A six-year-old boy was rescued after getting stuck between a lift and its wall at an apartment complex in Shantinagar, Hyderabad, on Friday, February 21.

The boy has been identified as Arnav, who was visiting his paternal aunt when the incident occurred around 1:30 pm, causing panic among residents who immediately alerted authorities.

DRF uses a welding machine to open lift doors at Hyderabad apartment

The fire brigade and Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams, along with doctors rushed to the Hyderabad apartment.

Speaking to the media, a Hyderabad police official stated, “The boy was trapped between the lift and the wall, between the ground and first floors.” Using welding machines, they forced open the lift doors to rescue the boy, who had been trapped for nearly three hours.

Arnav reportedly sustained minor injuries and was rushed to Niloufer Hospital. However, doctors suspect internal bleeding as his abdomen was compressed between the lift and the wall at the apartment in Hyderabad.

He is currently undergoing surgery.

Earlier, three students were stuck in a lift at Uppal Skywalk in Hyderabad for almost 45 minutes before being rescued by the police. The incident occurred when the lift at the Skywalk suddenly stopped working, causing panic among the students.

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Hyderabad: 18 accused were arrested by the Hyderabad police task force, in a late-night raid at a gambling den on Thursday, February 20. The police seized a total of Rs 29,490, from the gambling den, along with 108 decks of playing cards, and 16 mobile phones.

The police arrested the organiser, Akbar Hussain, a resident of Phisal Banda of Santhosh Nagar and 17 punters.

The arrested have been identified as Mohammed Kahleel, Mohammed Fayaz, Abdul Rafiq, Mohammed Mahboob, Mohammed Mateen, Mohammed Mateen, Mohammed Feroz, Mohammed Nawaz, Shaik Siraj, Syed Adil, Zubair Khan, Mohammed Ilyas, Mohammed Fareed Khan, Mohammed Riyaz, Syed Baba, Mohammed Minhaj, Mohammed Bin Aslam, and Mohammed Gouse Khan.

The arrested men were handed over to the Santhosh Nagar police station for further action.

Earlier in February, the special operation team (SOT) of Rajendranagar and Moinabad police raided a farmhouse in the Tholkatta locality of Moinabad and apprehended 64 persons including 5 workers for allegedly organising a casino-cum-cockfight.

Officials seized 46 cockfight knives, betting coins and cards, 55 cars, 64 smartphones, 84 cocks and cash amounting to Rs 30,59,620 during the raid. Additionally, a large quantity of poker chips and other gambling materials were confiscated from the site.

It was reportedly being run by a well-organized gang, which turned the farmhouse into a high-stakes gambling hub.

Police are investigating the network behind the illegal activities and are expected to take further action against those involved.

A case under the Gaming Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was booked at the Moinabad police station.

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Hyderabad: Nearly 400 varieties of Mangoes were on display at the Mango Exhibition inaugurated by Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad. The exhibition, organized by Habson in Rajendra Nagar, showcased techniques that allow mango, an extremely popular tropical fruit usually available in summer. There are plans to make it available throughout the year by controlled freezing techniques.

Telangana Assembly Speaker expressed enthusiasm and lauded Salmani Brothers for this initiative. He commended the brothers for successfully cultivating 400 varieties of mangoes on 300 acres of land in Kohir, a historical town about 100 km from Hyderabad. They said that they are trying to ensure that these varieties are made available around the year through freezing technology.

“After years of research, Habib Salmani discovered these 400 varieties, many of which were slowly disappearing. By cultivating them without fertilizers and pesticides in their orchard, these mangoes are a healthier option for consumers,” said Habson Director Kamal Salmani.

Habib Salmani said, “Producing mango varieties once favoured by the Asaf Jahi rulers, aristocrats, and feudal lords was no small feat. He mentioned that while mangoes typically arrive in the market in March and are available until May, many varieties become unfit for consumption once they are infested with worms.”

However, by freezing them, Salmani Brothers have managed to ensure that they are available for use all 365 days. They also announced plans to begin exporting these mangoes.

The event was graced by Prakash Goud, MLA of Rajender Nagar, Shujath Ali (former IIS officer), Fazal Rahman Khurram, and Prof Mohiuddin.

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Hyderabad: The Khazana Building at Golconda one of the most important places of heritage interest is out of bounds for tourists.

The age-old building constructed during the Qutb Shahi period at Golconda was formerly a royal treasury of the army and the government, stored in the big halls at the structure.

Historians explained that the Qutb Shahi kings housed their treasures in this building, which is currently known as the Khazana Building Museum. Khazana Building, as the name suggests, housed kingdoms khazana or treasure. It was the treasury of Ibrahim Qutb Shahi. After the collapse of the Qutb Shahi rule, the Asaf Jahi rulers took over it and used it for similar purposes.

The Indian Army after the police action, used this building as a treasury office for the distribution of salaries to their staff. It was handed over to the Department of Archaeology and Museums in 1951. Currently, the Department of Heritage Telangana is the custodian of the building.

The building houses canons from the Qutb Shahi period, stone sculptures from neighbouring regions, of the Chalukya and Kakatiya period as well as Qutb Shahi and Bahmani dynasties, which are on display. From rare coins to centuries-old relics unearthed during various excavations, the region’s treasure of history and heritage is also on display at the Khazana Building Museum.

In 2016, the building was renovated at Rs 50 lakh and opened particularly for the visitors. For the past few years, people have been denied entry and the gate is closed.

A security guard is present at the gate and informs any visitor that the doors are locked and people are not allowed inside. Inside the big open compound housing a garden, squirrels are seen playing around pointing out that have long been no visitors to the premises.

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Hyderabad: Moghalpura police on Friday, February 21, arrested a man for attempted robbery of an ATM at the Shalibanda branch of State Bank of India (SBI).  

The accused has been identified as Honmane Kashinath, a 24-year-old who sells panipuri in front of Balaji sweet shop in Aliabad. Kashinath was addicted to online games like Rummy and Roulette and has accumulated a substantial debt of around Rs 30 lakh by taking loans from friends and online loan applications. 

In a desperate attempt to alleviate this financial burden, he resolved to rob an ATM. On the night of February 14 and 15, he broke into the Shalibanda SBI ATM using a stone and then used his hands to force open the machine. He extracted the cash box, which he subsequently broke open with the stone. However, finding no cash inside, he discarded the empty box in a nearby garbage container.

On the morning of February 15, when the service manager reached the branch he noticed the ATM shutter half closed. After inspection the ATM was found broken and damaged, subsequently, a case was registered on Branch Manager Syed Mahammad Rafi’s complaint and police took on an investigation. 

Upon analysing CCTV footage it was found that a man had entered the ATM at around 3:50 am, closed the shutter and stayed inside till 5:05 am. During this time, the suspect forcibly opened and damaged the Automated Deposit cum Withdrawal Machine (ADWM) by attempting to remove the cash cassettes, but was unsuccessful. 

The suspect then tried to steal the cash retract box containing rejected and counterfeit notes. However after inspection by an ATM technician, it was confirmed that all cash cassettes, containing Rs 770,100, were intact and that no cash had been stolen, but the ADWM was completely damaged.

Kashinath has been booked under sections 331 (4) and 305 (e) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for break-in and theft.

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Hyderabad: In two separate cases, the Cyberabad cyber crimes police busted two ‘digital arrest’ scam rackets, operating from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, for scamming two individuals off of Rs 1.38 crore and 28.68 lakh respectively.

In one case, cyber fraudsters posing as State Bank of India (SBI) officials and Mumbai Cyber Crime officers, defrauded an 82-year-old retired engineer off Rs 1,38,60,000, after manipulating the victim over a fake money laundering case lodged against him.

The victim, under pressure, transferred the amount to various accounts the scammers provided. Upon receiving the complaint from the octogenarian, the police started the investigation, which led to the arrest of Sankar Ganesh, 46, (arrested from Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu), who provided the bank account to the scammers at a 10 percent commission, and Elanchezhiyan Sathiyavel, 45, (arrested from Namakkal, Tamil Nadu), who collected the account details from the arrested Sankar Ganesh and provided it to the main scamsters.

The scamsters who were posing as the SBI and police officials have been identified as Jesmin Mondal, Sachin, Muthukumar and Saleem, who remain at large. Police efforts to arrest them are underway.

5 Malayali men arrested in ‘digital arrest’ scam

In another case, the Cyberabad cyber crimes police arrested five men from Kerala, for defrauding a 66-year-old retired government employee woman, by manipulating her through the ‘digital arrest’ scam.

According to the police, the accused men called and threatened the victim by telling her that her AADHAAR card had been used to make an SBI account, which had been involved in a money laundering case, making her a suspect. The fraudsters also showed her a fake bank passbook which had transactions of over Rs 3 crore.

The fraudsters convinced her that she could face 3 to 7 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh unless she cooperated with their demands. In deep fear of incarceration and humiliation, the victim transferred Rs 28,68,504.67 to the bank accounts they provided.

Following the victim’s complaint, a cyber crimes police investigation revealed a complex web of several accused men, who were located in Kerala.

On February 17 and 19, the Cyberabad police made arrests in Meppadi of Wayanad and Kondotti in Malappuram respectively.

The arrested have been identified as Hamza, 44, Mustafa, 50, Hensily Joseph, 45, V P Manikandan, 56, and Ashif Ali Peringadakkad, 34. The main conspirator of the scam, identified as Babu, is currently absconding, and the police are on a manhunt to arrest him.

According to the police, Hamza, a bike mechanic, was responsible for supplying over 30 mule bank accounts to Babu, through which a sum of over Rs 2 crore has been withdrawn collectively.

The police seized 4 mobile phones, 5 bank passbooks, 3 chequebooks, and 7 debit cards during the arrests.

Cyberabad police urge citizens to be vigilant

The Cyberabad cyber crimes police urged the citizens to remain vigilant against cyber criminals posing as officials, aiming to defraud money from individuals.

“Be sceptical of urgent demands for money or personal information such as Aadhaar numbers, bank account numbers, or OTPs,” the police reminded.

“Always verify the source of the communication and confirm the information with the concerned authorities or institutions,” Cyberabad cyber crimes police added.

Citizens can report any instances of cyber crimes, including ‘digital arrest’ scams at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or by dialling the toll-free number 1930.

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Hyderabad: The Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK) and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in partnership are offering a free data engineer training program. The initiative aims to equip young professionals with in-demand skills in data engineering, bridging the gap between academia and industry requirements.

The program is open to graduates who completed their degrees between 2021 and 2024 in disciplines such as BSc, MSc, B.Tech, M.Tech, or MCA.

The training will last for 90 days and cover essential topics like data engineering tools, cloud technologies, and data visualization.

This comprehensive curriculum is designed to prepare participants for roles that require advanced technical skills.

IT and Industries minister D Sridhar Babu emphasized that these programs are part of a broader initiative to enhance professional skills among students and unemployed youth.

He highlighted that successful candidates will be offered job placements after completing the course.

Interested candidates must apply before March 1st through designated portals or contact numbers provided by the organizing bodies.

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Hyderabad: With the financial year nearing its end, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has ramped up efforts to collect an additional Rs 600 crore in revenue by March with notices to over 6 lakh property owners in Hyderabad. Additionally, 1.5 lakh notices have been issued to businesses without trade licenses or pending renewals.

Authorities are taking strict action against defaulters, locking 100 buildings in the past week, including private hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, and commercial complexes with outstanding dues.

The crackdown on property owners is especially focused in Hyderabad’s Serilingampally zone, where revenue collection has fallen short. Officials are urging better enforcement in Hitech City, Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kondapur, Chandanagar, and Miyapur, which have numerous high-rise buildings and businesses.

Massive property tax arrears in Hyderabad

Over 4,000 buildings owe more than Rs 5 lakh each in property tax, with major defaulters in Jubilee Hills Circle with 700 buildings, Khairatabad, 650, Goshamahal 550, Begumpet, 280, Saroornagar, 180, Amberpet, 140, and Mehdipatnam, 150.

In total, Rs 4,000 crore in unpaid taxes is pending, with government buildings among the biggest defaulters. A prominent government hospital in Punjagutta owes several crores, while a government office on Road No. 12, Banjara Hills, has an outstanding Rs 1 crore in property tax.

Additionally, 3.09 lakh property owners in Hyderabad who paid taxes for two consecutive years have defaulted this year, adding another Rs 600 crore to GHMC’s pending dues.

The corporation has issued 6,34,552 notices in total, with 4,500 properties owing more than Rs 5 lakh each, contributing to a total outstanding amount of Rs 3,500 crore, reported Eenadu.

GHMC seizes Taj Banjara hotel in Hyderabad

A day earlier, the GHMC seized the Taj Banjara Hotel over pending property tax dues of Rs 1.40 crore. dues The famous property is located in Hyderabad’s upscale Banjara Hills area.

It is reported that GHMC had issued multiple notices to the hotel management urging them to settle the outstanding tax amount. It should be noted that as of February 2025, Taj Banjara is not listed among the hotels on the official Taj Hotels website.

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Hyderabad: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has opposed organising the Miss World competition at the temples and other sacred places in Telangana, and termed it a ‘cultural jihad’. The organization has demanded that the Telangana government immediately withdraw its decision to hold the pageants in holy spots like Ramappa Temple, Yadagirigutta, and Ananthagiri Hills.

Telangana is gearing up to host the 72nd Miss World pageant this year. Julia Morley, chairperson and CEO of Miss World Limited, and Smita Sabharwal, Secretary to the Government of Telangana’s Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Youth Affairs Department, made the official announcement three days ago.
The Miss World pageant will be held between 4 May and 31 May.

Through the pageant, the state hopes to put Telangana on the global tourism map and showcase the state’s heritage and attractions.

State joint secretary of VHP Ravinuthala Shashidhar said, “It is a shame to organise obscene pageants like Miss World at holy places like Yadagirigutta, Ramappa Temple, and Ananthagiri Hills. Our society will not tolerate this disrespect.” He said this was an attempt to tarnish the culture of the state.

Miss World pageant in Hyderabad

The opening and closing ceremonies will be held in Hyderabad, including the Grand Finale, the state government also wants to highlight other destinations such as the UNESCO-designated world heritage site, Ramappa Temple, Yadagirigutta, Kawal Tiger Reserve, and Amrabad Tiger Reserve as well as the ancient forts dotting the state.

Participants from 140 countries attending the month-long pageant, the event will highlight the regional cuisine and rich textiles like Pochampally and Narayanpet and promote Hyderabad’s brand identity.
Contestants will arrive on May 4, with the grand finale set for May 31, where reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszková will crown her successor.

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Hyderabad: A fraudster impersonating a famous YouTuber duped a 20-year-old degree student from Yakutpura in Hyderabad’s Old City of Rs 4.2 lakh in a span of 45 days. The fraudsters lured the victim into sending money under the false promise of receiving extravagant gifts, including diamond and gold jewellery, as well as an iPhone 14 Pro.

To arrange the funds, the victim mortgaged her mother’s gold jewellery and borrowed large sums from relatives, only to later realise she had fallen into a financial trap. The Hyderabad cybercrime police have launched an investigation into the case.

The YouTuber first contacted the Hyderabad girl in December 2024 via an unknown number on WhatsApp and introduced himself as a UK-based YouTuber. Initially sceptical, the girl looked up his social media accounts and, upon finding an authentic presence, believed his claims.

YouTuber traps Hyderabad student in love scam

The fraudster gradually gained her trust, promising marriage and extravagant gifts, ultimately trapping her into a love scam. He claimed to have sent her expensive gifts, including jewellery and an iPhone, as a token of his affection. Shortly after, she received another call from a person posing as a courier agent, who informed her that a package was on its way.

The so-called courier agent demanded multiple payments for various charges, including courier registration fees, security taxes, and agency taxes. Convinced that the gifts were real, the girl sold her jewellery, mortgaged valuables belonging to her mother and aunt, and even took loans from relatives to cover these payments.

It was only when the demands for money continued to escalate that she realised she had been deceived. By then, she had already lost Rs 4.2 lakh.

A case has been registered with Hyderabad’s cybercrime unit, which is currently tracing the culprits. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious and verify claims before making financial transactions, especially when dealing with unknown online entities.

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Hyderabad: The standing committee of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) was unanimously elected on Friday, February 21.

Two Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) corporators withdrew their nominations citing a lack of numbers. The 15-member standing committee of the GHMC includes eight members of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) and seven members of the Congress.

The standing committee of the civic body has been unanimously elected for the first time in a decade.

The GHMC has 150 corporators in total. However, after the death of two members and two others becoming MLAs, the current strength is 146. Among them, 39 are from BJP, 42 from BRS, 24 from Congress, and 41 from AIMIM.

At least 74 corporations must support the candidates to form the committee. In the previous term, the committee had 7 members from AIMIM and 8 from BRS.

Previously, the BRS had secured a mayoral position with the support of the AIMIM. The BRS and AIMIM dominated the GHMC standing committee for the past three terms.

As the BRS lost the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, GHMC Mayor Vijayalakshmi Gadwal and Deputy Mayor Srilatha Reddy defected to the Congress party, taking several BRS corporators with them.

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Hyderabad: A fire broke out at a timber depot in Hyderabad’s Karmanghat on Friday, February 21. The incident occurred at 11 pm in the night.

The incident occurred at Manikanta Timber depot; the cause of the fire and damage caused to the depot is yet to be known.

Three fire engines were deployed to douse the flames.

The timber depot proprietor indicated to the media that an electrical short circuit was the probable cause of the incident. “Today, we closed the shop at 8:00 pm after completing our daily work, which ends at 7:30 pm.

Further details are awaited.

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Hyderabad: To alleviate bird flu fears in Hyderabad, several free food melas were set up to distribute chicken and egg dishes, raising awareness over the safety of consuming avian meat.

Scores of people lined outside the centres distributing free food, ie; chicken and egg snacks, held in six locations in Hyderabad on Friday, February 21.

Aside from Hyderabad, similar melas were held in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district.

According to local reports, an unexpected massive positive response from the crowd forced the organisers to shut the venue doors. Thousands of people gathered to enjoy the freshly prepared free food across the various locations in Hyderabad.

The spike in avian influenza in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and part of Telangana has led to a drop in chicken and egg prices with decreasing demand.

The melas organised by the Poultry Breeders Coordination Association aimed to raise awareness of the safety of cooked chicken meat and eggs and revive the falling poultry industry.

Chicken prices have taken a dip amid fears of bird flu in the city with at least 2500 chickens dying at a farm in the Wanaparthy district.

Authorities in Telangana’s Wanaparthy district have collected samples from a poultry farm, where 2,500 chickens died, to confirm if bird flu is the cause. Veterinary officials have sent the samples for testing and are taking precautions to prevent any potential spread.

On the other hand, poultry bodies have been attempting to create awareness and alleviate people’s concerns. Doctors across the city have also assured residents to not panic over the suspected cases stating that if cooked properly, chicken meat and eggs are safe for consumption.

More similar free food drives are likely to be held at various locations in Hyderabad in the coming days.

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Hyderabad: Telangana’s forests are calling! The Telangana Forest Development Corporation’s eco-tourism brand, Deccan Woods and Trails is offering a series of nature trails, birding tours, and overnight forest camping for nature lovers and adventure seekers in Hyderabad.

These curated experiences, set in the lush green landscapes of Telangana, provide a perfect escape from the city, allowing visitors to reconnect with the wild. From early morning walks amidst rich biodiversity to overnight stays under the stars, these programs aim to showcase the untamed beauty of the state’s forests.

TGFDC executive director Ranjeet Nayak emphasized the importance of forest conservation, stating, “Forests act as the lungs of the Earth, providing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and offering habitat to countless species. Birds, reptiles, and animals play essential roles in maintaining the food chain and natural ecosystems.”

Upcoming events by TGFDC:

• Nature Trail at Vikarabad – February 23, March 23
• Signature Overnight Nature Camping at Forest Trek Park, Chilkur, nearly 20 km from Hyderabad – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
• Nature Trail and Birding at Gajwel Forest Block – March 2, 30
• Nature Walk at Forest Trek Park, Chilkur – March 9, 16

For bookings and details of all the events, call +919885298980 or +919493549399.

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Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) on Saturday, February 22, demolished encroachments in Hyderabad’s Uppal.

The agency demolished illegal structures on footpaths at the Monday Market.

On February 20, HYDRAA demolished unauthorised structures in Pariki Lake of Hyderabad’s Quthbullapur. The Pariki Lake Conservation Committee has complained with HYDRAA commissioner AV Ranganath, alleging encroachment on the 60-acre lake. In response, HYDRAA launched a full-scale investigation, coordinating with revenue, irrigation, and municipal departments.

Following the probe, demolitions were carried out in the FTL area of Pariki Lake in Hyderabad, where unauthorized constructions were identified.

Meanwhile, the committee reported that Balakrishna, a purported local leader, was illegally selling government land and plots within the lake’s FTL perimeter through notarized agreements. On February 18, HYDRAA excavations uncovered hidden waters of Bathukamma Kunta Lake, which was believed to have been lost to encroachment.

On Tuesday, February 18 after digging through the thick layers of soil, Bathukamma Kunta Lake began to emerge, reigniting hope for the revival of the once-vital water body. “If all the soil that has been filled over the years is removed, the pond will be filled with water once again,” Hyderabad residents stated.

Telangana High Court warns HYDRAA over GO 99

On February 20, the Telangana High Court said it would shut HYDRAA down if the agency continues to act against Government Order 99.

In 2024, the Telangana government introduced GO 99 which established HYDRAA aiming to protect public assets like lake encroachment and public property in Hyderabad. The government order was created to manage disaster response and protect public property in Hyderabad. However, its implementation has faced legal challenges and controversies lately.

The Telangana High Court criticized HYDRAA for allegedly carrying out demolitions based on personal grievances raised by individuals rather than legal grounds, questioning how rights could be determined solely from documents without proper authority.

During a hearing of a petition filed by A Praveen regarding the demolition of his shed in Muttangi village, Sangareddy district, Justice K Lakshman demanded to know why there had been no change in HYDRAA’s approach despite multiple directives to issue notices and provide adequate time for explanations before proceeding with demolitions.

The petitioner claimed that his structure was demolished without considering the details he submitted regarding his land.

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Hyderabad: At least six workers were feared trapped when a section of a roof collapsed in the under construction stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on Saturday, police said.

The construction company’s team has gone inside for assessment and it is verifying, they said.

Six to eight workers are feared trapped as per information given by the company engaged in the work, a senior police official told PTI.

“The incident occurred when some workers had gone inside as part of the work when roof collapsed at 12-13 kms inside the tunnel,” the official said.

However, a press release from the Chief Minister’s office, without putting a number, indicated that some persons suffered injuries.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed the district Collector, Superintendent of Police and other officials to reach the place of accident to carry out relief measures, it said.

As per the directives of Chief Minister, state Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, government adviser on irrigation Adityanath Das and other irrigation officials left for the spot in a special helicopter, it said.

Expressing concern over the accident, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy enquired about the reasons for it and asked officials to bring out those feared trapped to safety. He also told the officials to provide treatment to the injured (if any), a release from his office said.

Uttam Kumar visits SLBC tunnel accident site

State irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has arrived at the SLBC tunnel accident site to review the gravity of the situation.

According to the officials, the accident was reportedly caused after a concrete segment used to seal seepage collapsed at the 14-kilometre inlet of the tunnel.

SCCL roped in to rescue ‘trapped’ workers

A 19-member team from state-owned coal mining firm, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd., has left for Srisailam Left Bank Canal in Nagarkurnool district on Saturday to join rescue operations to extract the trapped workers.

According to a top official of the company, SCCL has the expertise in rescuing people in such incidents and also has the necessary equipment. The rescue team from the company is headed by a general manager-level officer.

“SCCL has the necessary expertise to handle critical situations such as roof collapses. And also we have necessary equipment imported from Australia, USA and Poland. The machinery and rock cutters are so advanced that they can cut huge rocks and boulders within minutes,” SCCL CMD N Balram told PTI.

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