KTR alleges massive scam in Musi Riverfront project, criticises demolitions

HYDERABAD: BRS Working President K Taraka Rama Rao has accused the Telangana government of a massive scam concerning the Musi Riverfront Project.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Monday, KTR criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for allocating Rs 1.50 lakh crore for the Musi Riverfront beautification, calling the budget extravagant and unjustified.

KTR compared the budget of the Musi River project, which involves beautifying just 50 kilometres, to the Namami Gange project, which aims to clean the 2,400-kilometre stretch of the Ganga River with a budget of Rs 40,000 crore. He noted that the Sabarmati Riverfront, a 38.5-kilometre project, cost Rs 7,050 crore, while the Yamuna Riverfront project was estimated at Rs 1,000 crore. He questioned how a project as limited in scope as the Musi beautification could require Rs 1.50 lakh crore, describing it as indicative of corruption.

KTR also alleged that there was a lack of transparency and clear planning in the Musi project. He demanded to know whether there would be any irrigation benefits or reservoirs as part of the project. He stressed that there were no significant structures like pump houses or underground tunnels, yet an enormous budget was being allocated. He pointedly asked Revanth Reddy, about the expected return on investment from the Musi project, arguing that it offered no clear benefit for farmers or the public.

Further, KTR criticised the recent demolitions in Hyderabad, specifically questioning the decision to demolish houses that were constructed with government permissions. He stated that these demolitions displayed the government's lack of confidence in its own policies and administrative machinery. KTR suggested that if demolitions were to begin, they should first target government offices such as the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation office, which also occupies land along the nala.

KTR said that he had served as Municipal Administration Minister for eight years and argued that demolitions should start with government properties that were built without proper permissions. He highlighted the irony of demolishing citizens' homes while allowing government buildings and influential individuals' structures to remain untouched.

KTR also criticised Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, questioning their absence during the current crisis affecting Hyderabad residents. He accused them of being only interested during elections, pointing out their earlier visits to Hyderabad, where they sought votes by interacting with locals.

Addressing the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, KTR defended the investment of Rs 1 lakh crore, stating it was justified given the benefits to agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply. He contrasted this with the Musi project, which, according to him, had no clear benefits for the public or farmers. He emphasised that Kaleshwaram was the largest multi-stage lift irrigation project in the world, providing water for 40 lakh acres of farmland, drinking water to Hyderabad, and contributing significantly to Telangana’s agricultural success.

KTR expressed his concerns about the current state government's lack of planning, mentioning instances where demolitions were carried out without community consultations or proper surveys. He stated that houses built 50 years ago were being demolished, which he claimed was causing distress to thousands of people. He also referenced the Telangana movement, suggesting that such insensitive actions could provoke a resurgence of public anger.

He also spoke about the recent demolition order relief granted by the High Court, describing it as a much-needed intervention to curb the government's indiscriminate actions. He asserted that Hyderabad had developed well before the current administration and that their actions were now harming the city’s real estate market and investor confidence.

KTR directly criticised Revanth Reddy, stating that the Telangana Chief Minister was treating Hyderabad as his personal fiefdom. He questioned the intentions behind the demolitions, asking whether the Chief Minister would go as far as to demolish the newly constructed Dr B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat if given a chance, solely to erase KCR’s legacy.

KTR warned the Congress-led government that the BRS party would not stay silent while thousands of families were rendered homeless. He asserted that the BRS would actively support those affected by the demolitions. He promised that BRS leaders, including himself, would stand in front of bulldozers if needed. He called on the government to fulfil its election promises first, such as loan waivers for farmers and the implementation of welfare guarantees, before engaging in high-budget beautification projects.

The BRS leader also hinted at potential legal battles, stating that the party was ready to take the issue to the Supreme Court if the government's actions continued to harm the people. He urged the government to prioritise the welfare of the citizens rather than pursuing costly projects without proper justification, adding that the party would also raise the issue in the "people’s court" to ensure justice for the affected families.

KTR accused the Congress of using the Musi project as a financial reserve for upcoming elections, labelling it as potentially the largest scam in the country. He reiterated that any attempt to displace citizens without proper resettlement plans would be met with strong resistance from the BRS.