BRS Leader KT Rama Rao Slams Telangana Government Over Musi Project Land Acquisition
In a scathing critique, BRS working president and Sircilla MLA KT Rama Rao has accused the Telangana state government of applying inconsistent standards in land acquisition and property takeover for the ambitious Musi Riverfront Development Project. Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Wednesday, KTR highlighted what he termed as discriminatory practices that threaten thousands of homes and livelihoods.
Allegations of Inconsistent Buffer Zone Implementation
KTR pointed out a glaring discrepancy in the application of the buffer zone policy. While the official buffer zone is set at 50 meters on both sides of the Musi River, the government has issued notices to several colonies, including Hanuman Colony, which is located approximately five kilometers away from the Musi catchment area. This, he argued, demonstrates a lack of uniform criteria and raises serious questions about the project's planning and execution.
"There should be a uniform relief and rehabilitation scheme for all Musi victims," KTR emphasized. "Apartment residents were offered flats, but the poor were ignored. Why this selective approach?"
Questioning Project Cost Inflation and Transparency
The BRS leader demanded a detailed explanation from the government regarding the dramatic escalation of the project's estimated cost. Originally pegged at ₹16,000 crore, the project's budget has reportedly ballooned to a staggering ₹1.5 lakh crore. KTR called for immediate clarity on several critical aspects:
- The rationale behind the massive cost increase
- The number of phases in which the project will be executed
- The exact extent of land acquisition required
- The total number of houses proposed for demolition
According to KTR, preliminary estimates suggest that over 10,000 houses are likely to be demolished, with more than 3,260 acres of land slated for acquisition. He also questioned the expansion of the buffer zone, noting that while local revenue officers claim it has been increased, the government has failed to specify the new extent or the criteria used for this expansion.
Allegations of Misleading Information and Lack of Documentation
KTR raised serious concerns about the government's claims regarding funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He stated that while Minister Sridhar Babu claimed in the assembly that ADB had agreed in principle to fund the project, direct communication with ADB officials revealed a different story.
"As of January 23, no Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been submitted to ADB, and therefore no loan approval had been granted," KTR revealed. He added that on March 11, ADB reiterated that it has not approved any loan for the Musi project. "The government must either correct its information or face the charge of deliberately misleading both the assembly and the people," he asserted.
Political Accusations and Demand for Transparency
The BRS leader did not mince words in his political criticism, accusing the Congress party of hypocrisy. "Congress turned the Musi into a polluted drain, and the same party is now attempting to exploit the situation for large-scale corruption under the guise of redevelopment," he charged.
KTR demanded that if a DPR exists, it should be immediately tabled in the assembly for public scrutiny. He reiterated that the BRS would strongly oppose any decisions taken without transparency, particularly those that threaten people's homes, livelihoods, and properties in the name of the Musi project.
The allegations come at a critical juncture for the Musi Riverfront Development Project, which aims to transform the polluted river into a vibrant urban space. However, KTR's charges of inconsistent policies, cost inflation, and lack of transparency have cast a shadow over the project's implementation, raising fundamental questions about its impact on affected communities and the overall governance process.
