KTR trains guns on Musi, Metro and Future City

KTR criticised the Telangana government in the Assembly over the Musi Riverfront project, Metro Rail takeover and Future City plan, alleging lack of transparency and selective action. The government defended its decisions, saying the DPR would be made public soon

Hyderabad: K. T. Rama Rao, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Sircilla MLA, mounted a sharp attack on the Congress government in the Assembly, questioning the transparency and intent behind the Musi Riverfront project, the Hyderabad Metro Rail takeover, and the proposed “Future City”.

During a late-night discussion in the Assembly on Thursday, Rama Rao raised concerns over the Musi project and sought clarity on whether a Detailed Project Report (DPR) had been prepared. “If it exists, table it. Otherwise, the government is misleading the Assembly,” he said.

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He challenged the claim of a 50-metre buffer zone, pointing to notices issued to over 10,000 properties spread across 3,796 acres. He alleged that structures built with official permissions were now being labelled illegal and targeted for demolition.

Accusing the government of selective action, the BRS leader questioned why properties linked to ruling party leaders were allegedly spared while those of the poor and middle class faced action. He also questioned how houses in the buffer zone were being termed illegal while proposed commercial developments under the Musi Riverfront project were being permitted.

On the Hyderabad Metro, he disputed Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s claim that taking over Larsen & Toubro’s ₹15,000 crore loan was unavoidable. Rama Rao argued that the Centre had earlier permitted private participation in metro airport connectivity proposals during the previous BRS government’s tenure. He alleged that the real motive could be control over more than 280 acres leased to L&T.

Rama Rao also flagged the Future City plan, questioning how the government intended to expand from 14,000 acres acquired for Pharma City to 30,000 acres. He said the land acquisition was conditional and could not be diverted for other purposes.

Responding to the allegations, Minister D. Sridhar Babu said the Musi DPR was currently under vetting by the Asian Development Bank and would be made public. He defended the eviction drives as lawful and humanitarian, and justified the Metro takeover as beneficial, involving assets worth ₹27,000 crore. He dismissed allegations of ulterior motives.