HYDERABAD: BRS working president KT Rama Rao described individuals affected by the Musi Riverfront Development Project as “victims” of the Congress government’s mismanagement and corruption. He stated that in just nine months, the Revanth regime has tarnished Hyderabad's brand image and harmed the interests of one crore people.
In an exclusive interview with TNIE’s Ireddy Srinivas Reddy, the Sircilla legislator criticized the characterization of the affected individuals as encroachers, calling it inhumane. He labeled the project as the largest scam the country has ever seen and accused the Congress government of trying to transform the Musi scheme into a “reserve bank.”
Excerpts:
When you were the municipal minister, what was your government’s plan to rejuvenate the Musi River? How is the present Congress government’s plan different from yours?
During our tenure, we had a comprehensive plan for rejuvenating the Musi River. In contrast, the current Congress government is talking about beautifying the river by demolishing thousands of homes belonging to the poor. Our approach was focused on constructive politics, while the Congress government is pursuing a destructive agenda.
We completed several initiatives, including constructing sewage treatment plants (STPs) for Rs 4,000 crore and bridges for Rs 545 crore. The total estimated project cost at that time was Rs 16,000 crore. Now, the Congress is projecting it to cost Rs 1.5 lakh crore, an unprecedented amount for any riverfront project globally. We consider this the biggest scam in the country’s history, as we believe the Congress is trying to turn the Musi project into a “reserve bank” for itself ahead of the next General Elections.
Is the removal of 10,000 encroachments against the interests of over one crore people in Hyderabad?
What you term “encroachments” are not illegal structures; they are homes built 20 to 30 years ago with proper permissions from previous Congress governments. If action is needed, it should be directed at those governments and officials who issued these permissions. Labeling these affected individuals as encroachers is inhumane. They are victims of the Congress government’s reckless administration and corruption. In just nine months, this government has damaged Hyderabad's reputation and the interests of one crore residents.
Are you not going to play a constructive Opposition role? Is opposing everything proposed by the ruling party your only option?
It was the lakhs of affected individuals who first protested against the Musi project, not us. Thousands have approached Telangana Bhavan to stop this senseless demolition by the Congress government. If the government had a proper vision, we would certainly adopt a constructive approach.
No opposition party in the country, including ours, will support such destructive government decisions. The Congress has reversed progressive initiatives like the Pharma City and Airport Metro Rail projects, which would have enhanced Hyderabad’s brand. Their actions suggest that the entire Musi project is aimed at facilitating [Chief Minister] Revanth Reddy’s corruption and securing funds for the What changes do you suggest to the government regarding this project?
The Musi project, as proposed by the Congress, primarily targets the homes of lakhs of poor people. This plan should not just be modified but entirely scrapped because it represents a large-scale scam. The Congress government, which claims the state treasury is empty and cannot fulfill its election promises, is suddenly discussing spending Rs 1.5 lakh crore on this project. Not only does this plan need to change, but the Congress government's priorities should also be reevaluated.
If the BRS is voted back to power, will you reconstruct the demolished houses in the Musi riverbed?
We will never allow the demolition of homes that the poor have built with their lifetime savings and hard work. Any bulldozer that tries to demolish a house will have to go through us first. The rejuvenation of the Musi River should be conducted in a manner that does not harm or disrupt the lives of the poor and middle class in any way.