Harish Rao warns agitation against Congress govt’ attempt to shift Koheda fruit market land

BRS leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of attempting to divert land meant for the Koheda fruit market. He warned against shifting the project, while other BRS leaders alleged plans to monetise prime land parcels

Hyderabad: Continuing his tirade against the Congress government, BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao accused it of a systematic conspiracy to divert nearly 200 acres of land allocated for the Koheda fruit market. He warned Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy against any such attempts to shift the fruit market and dispose of valuable assets of the State to benefit his cronies.

During a visit to the site, Harish Rao said Revanth Reddy was attempting to hand over the Rs 3,000-crore land parcel to political cronies under the guise of policy decisions. He questioned why construction had not begun despite land availability and Rs 350 crore already allocated for the fruit market development.

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“I have not come here for politics, but for farmers. This is not about BRS or Congress, but about lakhs of farmers,” he said, urging the government to prioritise farmers over middlemen and traders. He warned that failure to initiate work would trigger a large-scale agitation.

Harish Rao said the previous government led by K Chandrashekhar Rao had envisioned a world-class integrated market with long-term infrastructure, including facilities for fruits, flowers and fish storage and sale. He said land acquisition was completed, compensation paid and funds deposited, with a Detailed Project Report prepared for a Rs 1,000-crore project.

He also raised concerns over the proposal to shift the market to disputed DILL (Deccan Infrastructure and Land Holdings Limited) lands, citing legal hurdles and High Court stay orders. “Despite the court orders, how could you shift the fruit market to DILL lands?” he asked, accusing the government of planning to transfer the Koheda fruit market land to TGIIC for eventual allocation to private players.

BRSLP deputy leader P Sabitha Indra Reddy said the government was attempting to relocate the market while eyeing prime land parcels in Koheda and Nadargul to generate nearly Rs 10,000 crore. She reiterated that the project was conceived as a major infrastructure push and vowed the BRS would revive it.

LB Nagar MLA D Sudheer Reddy said the shift from Gaddiannaram to Koheda was planned to ease congestion and pollution. He said 170 acres were acquired and a Rs 350-crore project approved. However, he said the current Congress regime was trying to repurpose the land for food processing units.

Former MLA Manchireddy Kishan Reddy said the land was acquired solely for the market. He alleged attempts to monetise it, citing similar controversies in Nadargul.

BRS leaders demanded that the Koheda land be used exclusively for the fruit market and warned against any move to auction or repurpose it.