Hyderabad: Residents oppose Gandhi Sarovar Project over ‘forcible’ land acquisition

Residents near Langar Houz have opposed the proposed Gandhi Sarovar Project, alleging forcible land acquisition and lack of mandatory social and environmental impact assessments, even as the State prepares for the foundation stone-laying ceremony later this month

Hyderabad: Even as arrangements are being made for Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to lay a foundation stone for the Gandhi Sarovar Project (GSP) at the Musi-Esa river confluence near Langar Houz later this month, local residents are opposing the move amid a row over land acquisition.

Land acquisition for the project has triggered a dispute with residents urging authorities to stop what they described as a forcible land acquisition drive.

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Some of the residents whose properties are affected by the land acquisition for the project told ‘Telangana Today’ that their concerns extend beyond the impact on their properties. They raised concerns about disappearance of green lung space, absence of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which they said are mandatory, and a lack of transparency and public opinion in the project’s implementation.

Mane Sashirekha, a resident of Madhu Park Ridge (MPR) Apartment, built on a sprawling 6.5 acres on the banks of River Musi at Langar Houz (near Tipukhan bridge), said, residents in their residential complex were mostly senior citizens whose children are abroad. “There are some single mothers, families, and retired defence personnel and they are not agreeable to giving up the entire 6.5 acres for the project,” she said.

“Moreover, the State government initially said that only 45 acres of land would be needed for the project, and later on, it was increased to 200 acres,” said Sashirekha.

Revenue authorities issued a notification for land acquisition of MPR’s A and B blocks, as well as land of a dargah on the banks of River Musi. They gave notices to the MPR committee to hand over the 6.5 acres and accept Transferable Development Rights (TDRs).

Residents also questioned the State government for not doing a Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment as required before initiating the project.

They also raise concerns about Defence land’s greenery, describing it as a carbon filter that purifies vehicular emissions and pollutants and provides oxygen to urban dwellers. They said it threatened ecological balance by depriving fauna of habitat and flora of land.

Gandhi Sarovar Project

Gandhi Sarovar Project has been proposed at Bapu Ghat, Langar Houz, where Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in 1948, at the Musi-Esa river confluence.

Proposals for the project include world’s tallest statue of Mahatma Gandhi to be installed in a walking pose, a national museum, a handloom promotion hub, a peace monument, and a knowledge centre. It is also integrated into the Musi river development plan.