Congress tries floating counter narratives on HYDRAA demolitions

Stating that there was no personal agenda behind the HYDRAA demolitions or the Musi evictions. Trying to build an eco-friendly image for the government, said Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: Clearly stung by the mounting criticism against HYDRAA demolitions and eviction of residents for the Musi project, the Congress government has set in motion attempts to build a counter narrative even while sticking to the two initiatives.

Hitherto, it was only Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy who spoke eagerly about the Musi project and the demolitions, with statements from most of his Cabinet colleagues being tepid statements. However, with the high command reprimanding the State leadership for the approach, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday came out in support of the demolitions, stating that there was no personal agenda behind the HYDRAA demolitions or the Musi evictions. Trying to build an eco-friendly image for the government, he said the only agenda was to save lakes for future generations.

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He also tried to counter the charges by Opposition parties, saying they were making baseless allegations and misleading the people and creating apprehensions on the Musi project. Addressing a press conference, Bhatti Vikramarka even made a powerpoint presentation on encroachments of lake areas. Interestingly, the statistics he presented were only from 2014 to 2023, obviously with a political motive against the previous government. Neither did he make any mention on how the previous government had changed the situation when most lakes across the State were dry in 2014 to how they were brimming with water in 2023. Instead, he said the area of water bodies within the Outer Ring Road was about 3,586.12 acres and the encroached area since 2014 was about 386.71 acres.

“If this continues, there will be no lakes left in Hyderabad. That’s the reason HYDRAA demolitions are being taken up,” Bhatti Vikramarka claimed. However, when asked about the government’s plans for identified encroachments in lakes within the ORR, including of the Hussain Sagar and those abutting Necklace Road, his reply was evasive and people should suggest what had to be done. “If people and opposition parties do not want lakes to be protected and desist from the Musi Riverfront project, so be it,” he said, also insisting that one should note that a beginning was made.

“Our doors are open. Let opposition parties share their suggestions on alternative rehabilitation measures,” he said, adding that the State government was offering double bedroom houses. No one wants demolitions but it was high time to protect the lakes, he claimed. Interestingly, contrary to the Chief Minister’s claim, Bhatti Vikramarka asked how the Opposition could come up with figures of Rs.1.5 lakh crore when no tenders were floated for the Musi project.

“All the markings and eviction from River Musi are only limited to Full Tank Level and not of those in the buffer zone,” he said.