Hyderabad: Revenue authorities begin demolition of houses on Musi river bed

The demolition of houses took place at Narsingi, Jiyaguda, Chaderghat and few other places on the Musi River stretch.

Hyderabad: The revenue authorities on Tuesday started demolition of houses in Musi River bed at Chaderghat and other places amidst huge police presence.

Over 200 workers started demolition of the structures manually using sledge hammers and crow bars since morning. At a few places, there were arguments between the local people and the revenue officials over the ‘hurried demolition’.

The authorities maintained that in the first phase, the revenue department and Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL) officials started demolishing of houses at Chaderghat.

“A total of 163 residents had voluntarily come forwards and opted for 2 BHK houses. All of them were allotted the houses and are moving out. Another 700 families have to vacate the houses,” said Hyderabad Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), K Mahipal.

The demolition of houses took place at Narsingi, Jiyaguda, Chaderghat and few other places on the Musi River stretch.

A woman lamented that though the revenue authorities had given them a 2BHK flat, there are no facilities for water and wash room in the premises. “Even though our houses are being demolished we will reconstruct it here only. How can you expect people to stay at a flat where there are no facilities,” she was heard shouting.

Similar concerns were raised by the affected families at different slums in Chaderghat where the demolition of houses was taken up. The people from Chaderghat Musi River course were shifted to 2BHK colony at Chanchalguda where a clash took place between the 2 BHK beneficiaries and the Musi River project oustees two days ago.