KTR vows zero tolerance for misuse of industrial lands in Telangana

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao slammed the Congress government for allegedly diverting over 9,300 acres of industrial land for real estate use. He warned of job losses, vowed legal action, and announced a statewide campaign to protect lands meant for industrial development.

Hyderabad: Taking a firm stance against the alleged misuse of public lands, Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday declared that industrial lands in Telangana would not be permitted for non-industrial purposes under any circumstances.

During a tour of key industrial zones in Hyderabad, including Jeedimetla, Rama Rao lambasted the policy, stating that it would enable the conversion of over 9,300 acres of land, originally earmarked for industrial development and job creation, into real estate ventures like apartments, villas, and commercial complexes.

“These lands are public assets meant for the people’s benefit, not for private gain,” he emphasised, stating that the BRS would block any attempts to divert them from their intended industrial use at any cost.

Rama Rao highlighted the pricing discrepancies that triggered the row, noting that while market values in areas like Jeedimetla reach up to Rs.1.5 lakh per square yard, the government was reportedly transferring these parcels to private entities at a fraction of the cost, around 4,000 rupees per square yard. He warned that such moves could lead to the relocation of existing industries, resulting in widespread job losses and economic disruption for lakhs of residents dependent on these sectors.

“The Congress government claims there’s no land available in Hyderabad for essential public projects like Indiramma housing, schools, hospitals, or even graveyards, yet they’re gifting away thousands of acres to private individuals,” Rama Rao said, urging the administration to reclaim these lands immediately and repurpose them for public welfare initiatives, such as housing schemes and educational facilities under the Young India programme.

Drawing a contrast with the BRS’s previous policy, which focused on non-polluting sectors like IT to foster employment without environmental harm, Rama Rao challenged the current regime: “If the Congress is truly committed to development, they should restrict these lands to clean industries only, not hand them over for residential or commercial real estate.”

The BRS leader announced a multi-pronged campaign to combat the scam, including an all-party meeting, public awareness drives in local colonies, round-table discussions, and partnerships with civil society and other opposition groups.

“Our fight will persist until this policy is scrapped and the people’s lands, worth lakhs of crores, are safeguarded,” he affirmed. He said that legal recourse would be pursued if needed. Rama Rao also cautioned that, upon returning to power, the BRS would enact new legislation to prevent such diversion.

Rama Rao advised industrialists against engaging in the policy, warning that anyone who greedily participates in Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s land scam now Wwould lose both the land and their investment later.