Hyderabad, Oct.7 (NSS): Senior BRS leader Dr Sravan Dasoju, in an open letter to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM, and the Cabinet Ministers of Telangana, has condemned the government’s proposed ₹1.5 lakh crore Musi River beautification project, calling it a blatant violation of the rights of thousands of residents living along the river.
Dr Dasoju criticized the administration for its high-handedness and insensitivity in forcibly evicting families without due compensation or consultation, likening these actions to UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s bulldozer tactics. Dr Sravan accused the Telangana government of following a “Bulldozer Raj” policy by demolishing the homes of lakhs of people living in the riverbed and buffer zones, without any compensation as required by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013. He highlighted the stark contradiction in Revanth Reddy’s actions, as a leader from the Indian National Congress, who should be upholding the legacy of Indira Gandhi’s vision of “Roti, Kapada, Makaan.”
Dr Dasoju expressed deep concern over the government’s refusal to engage in meaningful consultation with environmentalists, urban planners, and the affected communities. He pointed out that there were no ward-wise meetings or Grama Sabhas to gather input from stakeholders, undermining the transparency and credibility of the project. He also criticized the administration’s discriminatory approach towards residents in the riverbed and buffer zones, treating them as illegal encroachers while denying them their rightful claims.
He described GO No. 477 as a diversionary tactic that bypasses the legal framework of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, which was established to protect displaced families. Instead of upholding this Act, the government created a separate Livelihood Support Committee only after the demolitions—a move Dr Dasoju labelled as a cover-up to deflect public outrage over the illegal evictions and the displacement of marginalized communities.
Dr Sravan Dasoju also raised the alarm over the government’s reckless rush to demolish homes without a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Musi River Beautification Project. He emphasized that the absence of a DPR highlights the administration’s lack of commitment to a well-thought-out plan for the project’s scope, environmental impact, financial estimates, and resettlement strategy. Dr Dasoju called it a theatrical attempt to create a facade of progress while neglecting the people’s rights and the river’s future.
Expressing disappointment, Dr Dasoju questioned the role of senior bureaucrats in supporting these unconstitutional actions. He stated that the silence of these officials, who should be upholding the principles of justice and law, amounts to a betrayal of their duty to protect citizens’ rights.
Dr Sravan Dasoju demanded the following actions from the Telangana government to ensure justice and fairness: Withdraw the hastily introduced GO No. 477 and immediately halt all demolitions; Engage in a transparent dialogue with stakeholders, conduct ward-wise meetings, and hold Grama Sabhas along the entire Musi River stretch from Vikarabad to Wadapally; Prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) that includes comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement provisions as mandated by the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, and make it publicly available; present a detailed and transparent explanation of the ₹1.5 lakh crore budget for the project, with a clear breakdown of costs.
Dr Dasoju firmly stated that the Musi River’s revival must respect the environment and protect the livelihoods of the people residing along its banks. He emphasized that only by engaging all stakeholders, including environmentalists, urban planners, and affected communities, from Vikarabad to Wadapally, can the project be truly successful and sustainable. Anything less, he warned, would be a grave violation of fundamental rights and a failure to fulfill the state’s constitutional obligations. “Our fight is not just for the protection of homes but also for upholding justice, humanity, and democratic values,” declared Dr Sravan Dasoju, urging the Telangana government to act with compassion and integrity for the people of Telangana.
