Musi rejuvenation project faces land acquisition hurdles in Hyderabad

The Musi rejuvenation project is facing hurdles over land acquisition, with several property owners opposing TDRs and seeking cash, flats or open plots as compensation. The government plans to acquire land from nearly 500 owners for the project's first phase.

Hyderabad: Despite the State government’s efforts to expedite the Musi rejuvenation project, officials are facing hurdles over land acquisition, with several property owners opposing the proposed compensation options.

In the first phase, works are planned along a 21-km stretch from Osmansagar-Himayatsagar to Bapu Ghat. The government has already issued a land acquisition notification and announced the Gandhi Sarovar project at Triveni Sangamam.

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The Ministry of Defence has agreed to part with 80 acres of its land at Langer Houz. Another 120 acres is proposed to be acquired for the project. Properties belonging to nearly 500 owners need to be acquired, but many are unwilling to part with their land and properties.

Strong objections have been raised against notices issued by the Revenue Department to property owners, including farmers in Gandipet, Narsingi and Golconda mandals. Many are also reluctant to accept Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) and are demanding cash compensation instead.

Several property owners have already submitted their objections to revenue officials. Residents of Madhu Park Ridge apartments also discussed their concerns with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka last month.

A majority of property owners are seeking ready-to-occupy residential flats as compensation. Some have demanded cash compensation equivalent to four times the registration value. Others are seeking open plots on which they can construct three-bedroom houses.

The government, however, is pushing TDRs to reduce the financial burden of land acquisition. The proposal has received a mixed response, with some owners willing to accept TDRs while others are opposed to the option.

The differing demands have left officials in a quandary. While the government is pressing them to speed up the process and float tenders for the first phase, ground-level resistance over land acquisition is emerging as a major challenge.