Overview
- HYDRAA, which led raids Tuesday with police support, tore down multiple stone‑crushing units and ready‑mix concrete plants in Vattinagulapally, Gowlidoddi, Kothwalguda and nearby Gopanpally, and it hauled out machinery to keep work from restarting.
- Tallys differ across official statements and reports, with HYDRAA initially citing six crushers and 12 RMC plants removed, later coverage listing eight crushers and three RMC plants, and The Week reporting that 10 more RMC plants are queued for removal.
- The agency said it acted on Telangana Pollution Control Board, mines and revenue complaints that flagged operations without permits, destruction of natural hillocks, heavy dust and blasting risks, and crores in unpaid power bills that pushed plants to run on diesel after disconnections.
- Confusion over ownership surfaced as media linked a Kothwalguda unit to Raghava Constructions, but HYDRAA’s commissioner said it belonged to Thirumala Metal Industry, and The Week noted missing lease papers and vague addresses that made tracing owners difficult.
- Several operators protested and claimed they held permissions, prompting HYDRAA to pause some demolitions and give a short window to remove equipment, while nearby residents reported relief from dust and officials signaled more enforcement and likely administrative reviews.