Musi Riverfront Project woes hit Ganesh laddu auction in Hyderabad

Concerns over land acquisition for the Gandhi Sarovar project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development Project have reportedly affected participation in the Ganesh laddu auction at Keerthi Richmond Villas, with the winning bid falling to Rs 1.01 crore this year.

Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress government’s Gandhi Sarovar project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development Project seems to have adversely impacted the Ganesh laddu prasadam auction at Keerthi Richmond Villas in Bandlaguda Jagir here.

While laddu prasadam from this gated community went under the hammer for a staggering Rs 2.32 crore last year, it brought in just Rs 1.01 crore this year, less than half of last year’s amount. Members of the Shaktiman Group from the same gated community successfully bid for the laddu during the auction held here on Tuesday night.

---

One of the main reasons being attributed to the low bids is the non-participation of more than 25 families, whose villas face the threat of land acquisition for the Gandhi Sarovar project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development Project.

The Revenue department had called for the land acquisition inquiry, including 50 villas in Keerthi Richmond Villas, in May this year. This has created fear, panic and anxiety among the owners over losing their villas that have been bought with their hard-earned money.

One of the villa owners told ‘Telangana Today’ that, unlike in previous years, the residents were not that enthusiastic about participating in the laddu auction this year as 27 villas were facing the threat of land acquisition for the Musi Riverfront Development Project.

“These 27 villa owners who used to make significant contributions to the laddu auction every year stayed away this time. The laddu was auctioned for Rs 1.01 crore,” he said.

Around 60 to 80 owners came together and formed four groups to bid for the laddu. Each group member contributed their committed bid amount in the auction. Another reason for such a low bid has been attributed to the financial condition of the contributors and donors as well.

“Initially, the bid was around Rs 48 lakh. However, one of the villa owners increased it to Rs 1.01 crore and decided to contribute his bid amount,” one of the villa owners added.

Like every year, the proceeds from the auction will be transferred to RV Diya Charitable Trust, which extends financial assistance and groceries to students and families from economically weaker sections. Last year, the trust supported 750 students and children, 150 patients, 300 people in skill training and the welfare of more than 100 animals.