Property owners protest land acquisition notices for Musi River Front Project development

Families in Hyderabad protested land acquisition for the Musi River Front Project, citing lack of consultation and consent. Authorities plan to acquire 19.10 acres in Rajendranagar, linking the project to Gandhi Sarovar, despite residents’ objections and tensions.

Hyderabad: Despite mounting criticism over acquisition of residential properties for the Musi River Front Project Development, the Telangana Government is going ahead with the process, leading to tensions and vehement protests among the families likely to be displaced.

On Monday, tension escalated in Kismathpur and surrounding areas when families, whose properties are affected in land acquisition for Project, vehemently protested before the revenue officials who went there to serve notices on Monday.

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Heated arguments took place between the property owners and revenue authorities at Kismathpur, Dargah Khaleej Khan and Himayat Sagar villages. The residents argued that they were not willing to part with their properties and criticised the high-handed manner in which they sought to be displaced. A few protesting property owners displayed placards and raised slogans against the land acquisition.

The revenue sub-divisional officer of Rajendranagar had issued a notification to acquire 19.10 acres of land for the proposed project.

Officials tried to explain to the families that the State government’s purpose in organising Grama Sabhas in the affected areas. However, the property owners did not accept the explanation and said they were not willing to allow their properties to be demolished.

A few property owners of Bandlaguda Jagir, Rajendranagar and other areas met the MRDCL authorities and urged them to withdraw the project as hundreds of families would be rendered homeless.

When contacted, Gandipet MRO N Srinivas Reddy, he said, “After Grama Sabhas are conducted, the land acquisition process will start and notices will be served to the house/property owner.”

Controversy has marked the project, which makes the claim of rejuvenating the 55-km stretch of Musi River in Hyderabad and transforming it into a vibrant, clean, and economically active urban corridor. The state government also linked Gandhi Sarovar Project to this project.

However, those facing the threat of their houses being demolished for the project have taken up a series of protests and alleged that they were not consulted beforehand and their consent was not sought.