Revanth Reddy’s remarks deepen Madhu Park Apartments land row

Revanth Reddy’s remarks on not seeking Madhu Park Ridge Apartments land contradict an official acquisition notice, triggering protests. Residents oppose the Gandhi Sarovar project, while the government offers compensation and alternative land options.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has sparked a fresh controversy over the acquisition of land belonging to Madhu Park Ridge Apartments for the Gandhi Sarovar project in Hyderabad.

Speaking in the Legislative Council, the Chief Minister asserted that the government had not sought the apartment land. He added that the focus was only on addressing the residents’ concerns. “We have not sought the apartment lands. All we are stressing about is the apartment’s problem,” Revanth Reddy maintained.

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The Chief Minister’s unequivocal assertions on the issue go against the government notification issued on February 2 for acquisition of 10.34 acrores in Bandlaguda Jagir of Gandipet manda, which includes the 6.34 acres of patta land belonging to the apartment complex in Survey No. 89. Ever since the notification was issued by the Rangareddy district collector, the residents of the apartment complex have been protesting the move. They also wrote letters to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi seeking his intervention.

Despite the notification for acquisition, the Chief Miniser contradicted the residents’ claims arguing that the residents had been urging the government to drop the project. He noted that 98 acres of defence land was being allotted by the Centre and that the State and tourism department together owned another 100 acres. He said the “Gandhi Sarovar project could proceed even without acquiring the apartment land”.

Revanth Reddy also pointed out that the apartment received building permission in 2005-06 within a nine-metre buffer zone. The buffer was later expanded to 50 metres in 2012 and 2016, placing nearly half the structure within the restricted zone. He repeated his claim that the property could lose value in the future. If residents voluntarily parted with the land, compensation would be provided, he said, emphasising that none was being displaced.

Earlier, during Women’s Day celebrations, he said the apartments could eventually become “zero value” properties. He proposed allotting seven acres of land in lieu of the apartments seven acres and assured financial support for constructing a new residential complex through a residents’ society.