Opposition mounts over Gandhi Sarovar Project

Land acquisition issues and protests by residents have delayed the Gandhi Sarovar Project linked to the Musi Riverfront Development Project in Hyderabad. Families of Madhu Park Ridge apartments fear displacement, while officials say the land falls within the buffer zone

Hyderabad: Land acquisition emerged as a primary hurdle in the Gandhi Sarovar Project, with affected communities opposing the move and raising concerns that brought the acquisition process under scrutiny. Thus, amid protests, the land acquisition process is likely to push back the State government’s ambitious Gandhi Sarovar Project, causing inordinate delay.

The Gandhi Sarovar Project is linked as part of the Musi Riverfront Development Project (MRDP). Opposition grew after Rajendranagar district revenue authorities issued two separate notifications for land acquisition for the project.

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In the first notification, revenue authorities aim to acquire 19.10 acres of land for the Gandhi Sarovar Project at Kismatpur village in Gandipet mandal. The notification stated that Kismathpur would lose several properties and immovable assets on all four sides, including South, North, East and West, along the Musi riverbed.

In the second notification, the state government would also need another 10.34 acres of land at Bandlaguda Jagir village of Gandipet mandal for the Gandhi Sarovar Project. The notification said major structures, including apartments, would be affected. It cited G 5 in both A and B blocks of the residential properties built in Madhu Park Ridge Apartments, on land pertaining to the Worship and Tourism Department.

According to the two notifications, no trees and heritage structures would be affected during the land acquisition. Families of Madhu Park Ridge (MRP) apartments said they were left shocked over the loss of their homes and livelihoods following the decision by the State government, and that they faced uncertainty about where they would live and how they would earn a living.

The president of the Madhu Park Ridge Residential Welfare Society (B Block), D Srinivasa Reddy, told Telangana Today, “We are not against the beautification of the Musi River, and as residents, we are maintaining a clean environment with lush greenery in our apartment premises. We planted hundreds of trees around us and, throughout the year, the premises provide a cool breeze.”

Dr S V Subhramanyam, a senior doctor staying in Madhu Park Ridge Flats, expressed unhappiness over deforestation due to the state government’s proposed Gandhi Sarovar Project. For the past 14 years, people have been staying in Madhu Park Ridge, and displacement is unacceptable. He said it was against fundamental rights to ask residents to vacate and demolish 500 flats for beautification projects.

Another resident of the Madhu Park Ridge (MPR) apartments, Manne Sashirekha, said, “The state government is only interested in acquiring MPR and defence land through forced surrender and dislocating residents by offering TDRs, which can never be encashed.”

Buffer zone demarcation is likely to lead to major controversy over the Gandhi Sarovar Project, as residents and civil organisations have raised objections.

The sub-divisional revenue officer (RDO) of Rajendranagar, K Venkat Reddy, said the revenue authorities were keen to acquire land for the Musi Riverfront Development Project. The existing structures in Bandlaguda Jagir and other areas, including Madhu Park Ridge (MPR) apartments, fall within the designated buffer zone and lie within 50 metres of the buffer limit.

He said the buffer zone was 12 metres in 2004 and was increased to 50 metres in 2012. “We are confident that we will overcome the hurdles in acquiring the land, as per the notifications,” he said.