Hyderabad: Ground levelling begins near Bapu Ghat amid Gandhi Sarovar protests

Ground levelling and tree cutting began near Bapu Ghat for the Gandhi Sarovar Project, triggering panic among Madhu Park Ridge residents who fear displacement. Preparations for the foundation stone ceremony are underway, though the date and Rajnath Singh’s visit remain unconfirmed.

Hyderabad: Two major works – ground levelling and tree cutting – pertaining to the Gandhi Sarovar Project have spread panic among the Madhu Park Ridge residents, who have been vehemently protesting the project on the grounds that it will leave them displaced.

Ignoring the laments of hundreds of property owners of Madhu Park Ridge (MPR), the authorities have got busy making arrangements to lay the foundation stone for the controversial project.

---

On Thursday, ground levelling works were witnessed at the confluence of Musi river with its tributary, the Esi river. The site included Bapu Ghat, a 68-acre Mahatma Gandhi memorial located at Langar Houz, and the work location was on the rear side of Madhu Park Ridge.

Revenue sources of Gandipet mandal and Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) officials conceded that the activity at the site has intensified with focus on preparatory tasks for the foundation stone. Sources said the date for the foundation stone was not yet confirmed, but added that, as per the higher-ups, ground levelling works were to be taken up. The works taken up in and around the area include removal of unwanted vegetation, clearing of garbage and cleaning of the land.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, during his recent visit to New Delhi, had invited Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the foundation stone ceremony. However, Rajnath Singh’s visit is yet to be confirmed.

Tree cutting at Musi river bed area:

Meanwhile, the MRDCL took up cutting of decades-old trees for the Gandhi Sarovar Project at the Musi river bed area, at a traffic junction opposite Madhu Park Ridge. On Thursday, workers cut the trees and cleared unwanted green waste on the premises, including thorny bushes.

Workers used saw blades to chop decades-old trees, and more than 20 such trees were cut down. Vehicles were also deployed at the site to lift and transport the green waste. A few persons supervising the work at the site said they were instructed to keep the premises clean and remove the trees.