Telangana government stands firm in favor of demolition but says ‘no forced evictions’ – Telangana Today

Musi Riverfront Development Corporation officials conducted a drone survey and identified 10,600 houses and structures in a 55-km stretch. These structures were located within the riverbed and buffer zone boundaries and had to be relocated.

Hyderabad:Unfazed by the agony of people facing an uncertain future over a government company demolishing their houses on the banks of the Musi river, the two officials heading the demolition drive on Saturday, however, insisted that there would be no forced evictions. In fact, they claimed that many families had already agreed to move to two-bedroom homes being built in various parts of the city.

Musi Riverfront Development Corporation officials conducted a drone survey and identified 10,600 houses and structures in a 55-km stretch. These structures were located within the riverbed and buffer zone boundaries and had to be relocated. However, not a single family would be forcibly evicted and all those evicted would be provided with a 2BHK worth Rs 25 to 30 lakh, Principal Secretary Municipal Administration and Urban Development Dana Kishore said at a press conference.

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Accompanied by HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath, Dana Kishore said that officials had checked 974 houses in various areas along the river stretch in the last two days. Of these, 576 houses were located on the border of the river bed and families in 406 houses were ready to be relocated, he added.

“Already 50 families have been relocated to other areas and another 150 families are currently being relocated. The government is also arranging packing and transportation,” Dana Kishore said, adding that 15,000 2BHKs have been identified in various areas to supply them to those stranded from the Musi riverbed. Help desks have been set up in various areas where the ousted people could get ration cards, Aadhar cards and LPG connections. He maintained that regardless, the support of NGOs, Professor Haragopal and Professor Kodandaram was used to convince them to relocate.

Rs 10,000 crore for Musi Riverfront project

Principal Secretary MAUD said that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has issued guidelines to ensure flow of fresh water in Musi river by June 2026 and Rs 10,000 crore has been approved for Musi river wharf project. Of this amount, Rs 3,800 crore will be spent on setting up an STP with a capacity of 970 MLD. Five TMC of Godavari river will be diverted to Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar and 10 TMC of water will be allocated to meet the drinking water demand in the western zone and also for construction of check dams at various places on the river, he explained.

Work was underway to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the Musi River and the agency was expected to submit one draft DPR within four months. Tenders will be announced within a week, and once they are settled, work will begin in a few months, he added.

Meanwhile, Ranganath reiterated that structures that lacked permission from local authorities were demolished only after prior notice to residents. Calling the suicide of Kukatpally resident Buchamma unfortunate, he said HYDRAA would not touch houses belonging to the poor and middle income groups. Many home owners claimed that they had obtained permissions from panchayats and other local bodies, but in many cases these permissions had been canceled in the past, he said, adding that HYDRAA was displayed as a ghost.

On selective demolitions, the HYDRAA Commissioner said: “We are doing our homework and will take action after completing all formalities. No influential person will be spared. The Janwada farm does not fall under our purview and is governed by GO 111.

Conflicting versions

Interestingly, Ranganath said that if any structure is found in the FTL or buffer zone of a water body or on government land and permissions have been issued in the past, such permissions will be withdrawn. However, Dana Kishore immediately intervened and said that all permits issued in the past by various local bodies would be honored and valid.

Study visit for city MLAs

The state government is organizing a tour in October to learn about riverbank development projects in Seoul and elsewhere for urban local governments, especially in whose constituency the Musi River flows.