Slum voters made Prakash Goud MLA, not apartment residents: Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said Rajendranagar MLA T Prakash Goud was elected with the support of slum dwellers amid the Madhu Park Bridge controversy. He defended land acquisition for infrastructure projects and inaugurated the Himayathsagar Eco Park near Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Amid the controversy over the proposed demolition of the Madhu Park Bridge under the Musi River rejuvenation project, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said BRS turncoat MLA from Rajendranagar T Prakash Goud was elected four times with the support of slum dwellers and not apartment residents.

The Chief Minister accused former Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao and others of creating hurdles to development works and key infrastructure projects proposed in the city.

---

He urged them to refrain from such activities, stating that land acquisition was inevitable for major infrastructure projects such as the Regional Ring Road, radial roads and the proposed bullet train corridors.

Revanth Reddy was speaking after inaugurating the Himayathsagar Eco Park at Kothwalguda. The park was developed during the previous BRS government’s tenure, but its inauguration had been delayed for various reasons.

He assured that fair compensation would be provided to landowners and that no one would be displaced without due process. All projects would be executed only after taking people into confidence, he said.

The Chief Minister also said residents of slums would be provided houses within their respective constituencies and would not be relocated elsewhere.

Describing the Himayathsagar Eco Park as an attractive destination, he said tourists from other States visiting the city would also include the park in their itinerary, along with Charminar and other historic landmarks.

Under the Musi River rejuvenation project, the State government plans to promote night-time economic activity along the riverfront, he said.

“Hotels, vegetable outlets and other establishments will be permitted on either side of the Musi River. Unemployed youth will also be provided employment opportunities,” he added.

The government is also working on developing night tourism and lake tourism in the region. In addition, the proposed Bharat Future City near Shamshabad would be developed on a large scale, while Shamshabad itself would emerge as a hub for bullet train connectivity, he said.