Revanth Reddy blames previous regime for Hyderabad flooding, traffic snarls

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, facing flak over flooding and traffic chaos after a brief spell of rain in Hyderabad, blamed the previous government for civic failures. While inaugurating the Future City Development Authority office, he admitted that encroachments and poor planning had crippled the city’s drainage system.

Hyderabad: A day after facing severe criticism over flooding of many streets and massive traffic jams following a short spell of rain in the city, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy resorted to his favourite theme, that of holding the previous government responsible for hardships faced by the people.

Interestingly, even after two-and-a-half years of the Congress government’s rule and holding the Municipal Administration and Urban Development portfolio, he admitted that a spell lasting just two hours had left the streets flooded and disrupted traffic. For travelling one km, it took people two to four hours, he said.

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The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating the Future City Development Authority (FCDA) office here on Wednesday. He said branding Hyderabad as a global city was not enough. Infrastructure and civic amenities must match international standards, he stated.

Tall claims were made about robust development in the last 10 years and an acre was sold for Rs. 100 crore. They should explain the reasons for traffic jams and who was responsible for flooding of streets, he asked.

Revanth Reddy alleged that large-scale encroachments of lakes, nalas (drains) and public parks, along with permissions for unauthorised constructions, had disrupted the city’s natural drainage system.

According to him, rainwater flowed into roads and residential colonies instead of draining into water channels and rivers because of these encroachments.

“A few influential people occupied lands in Gandipet and Himayathsagar and efforts are being made to clear such encroachments,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister defended the demolition of unauthorised structures, saying the government was acting to prevent long-term damage to the city’s environment and infrastructure.

“Did I or any cabinet Ministers offer an inch of land to anyone? We are rejuvenating rivers and boosting lake economy by permitting vegetable, milk and other stalls at the lakes,” Revanth Reddy said.

Responding to criticism over the Bharat Future City project, he said major development initiatives had faced opposition in the past as well. He recalled that projects such as HITEC City, the Outer Ring Road and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport were initially ridiculed and opposed.

“Had earlier governments abandoned those projects because of criticism, would today’s youth have received these employment opportunities?” he asked.

The Chief Minister said Bharat Future City was being developed with future generations in mind. But, a few demons were asserting in the United States that they would obstruct the Future City after coming to power, the Chief Minister stressed.

“Such people will be thrashed by the people and they will lose even the opposition status,” Revanth Reddy said.

In exactly 150 days, the FCDA office was thrown open to people. This reflects the government’s commitment and officials’ speed of work. With the same spirit, the Bharat Future City should become a platform for one trillion USD economy by 2034, he stressed.

“I will come to the FCDA office occasionally. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu will be visiting once in every week and address all your issues,” Revanth Reddy assured the people.