KTR flags Musi project irregularities
HYDERABAD: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs raised multiple questions on the Musi river project, with K T Rama Rao seeking clarity on the detailed project report (DPR), land acquisition, demolitions and project cost.
BRS raises doubts on DPR timeline and cost changes
KTR said the DPR preparation was assigned to a company named Main Hart, which has been banned by several organisations in Singapore, Pakistan and India. He questioned how a DPR, earlier said to require at least 18 months, was prepared within two months.
“If the DPR has been prepared in two months with such speed, it should be placed before the House and the public,” he said.
Government faces questions on land, demolitions, loan claims
KTR also referred to statements made by Sridhar Babu in the Assembly that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) had given in principle approval for a loan. However, he said the bank clarified on January 23 that it had not received any DPR and had not approved any loan. The ADB reiterated on March 11 that it was not extending any loan, he added.
“The government must correct its information or it will appear that it is misleading the House and the public,” KTR said.
He further questioned the variation in project cost. While the chief minister Revanth Reddy reportedly said the project would cost ₹1.5 lakh crore, statements in the Assembly placed the estimate at ₹4,000–₹5,000 crore.
KTR asked how many phases the project would have and sought details on land acquisition and demolitions. He said Sridhar Babu stated in the Assembly that 1,400 houses would be demolished, but a government gazette notification mentioned more than 10,000 houses.
The same notification stated that over 3,260 acres would be acquired, he said, asking how the cost estimate was reduced from ₹1.5 lakh crore to ₹4,000–₹5,000 crore.
He also raised concerns over the expansion of the buffer zone, citing statements by a local revenue divisional officer, and demanded clarity on its extent and impact, including the number of houses to be demolished.
