Medha Patkar backs Musi Jan Andolan against displacement of families, urges halt to riverfront DPR
Social activist Medha Patkar has extended support to Musi Jan Andolan, opposing the Musi Riverfront Development Project. She urged Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy to halt the DPR unveiling, conduct public hearings, review displacement risks, and restore the original 2013 LARR Act
Hyderabad: Renowned social activist Medha Patkar, who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan, has extended her solidarity to the Musi Jan Andolan, which is fighting against the displacement of residents under the Gandhi Sarovar Project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development.
Patkar, who received an official invitation for the unveiling of detailed project plans for Musi River Rejuvenation Phase 1 scheduled on March 13, responded with a three-page representation addressed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, urging him to halt the detailed project report and plans to be presented on the project.
Musi Jan Andolan on Wednesday released to media a copy of Medha Patkar’s representation in which she stated Musi Riverfront Development Project forms part of more than 100 similar riverfront initiatives planned predominantly in States governed by the BJP and its allies, many of which have raised profound social and environmental apprehensions.
Medha Patkar stated that the project is likely to displace thousands of households, including those of the urban working poor, middle-class families and retired officials, while endangering heritage structures. She also referred to unanimous opposition from residents of the Madhu Park Ridge apartments.
She demanded the Chief Minister withdraw the event of unveiling the DPR on March 13, hold public hearings in the Musi-affected communities, constitute an independent committee for a comprehensive review of the project, withdraw all land acquisition notices for the Musi Riverfront project, and pass legislation in the Telangana State Assembly repealing the 2017 amendments to the 2013 LARR Act, restoring the 2013 Act passed by UPA-II in its original form.
