BRS Leader KTR Warns of Mass Displacement from Musi River Development Project

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi's working president K.T. Rama Rao has leveled sharp criticism at the Congress government's Musi River development initiative, asserting that the undertaking threatens to uproot vast numbers of economically disadvantaged and middle-income households. Speaking at a gathering of party functionaries in Rajendranagar on Sunday, he characterized the project as destruction masquerading as progress.

KTR highlighted that resistance to the initiative has emerged from diverse quarters, including Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Despite mounting objections from such prominent figures, he maintained that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy continues advancing plans that would result in displacing thousands of households.

The BRS leader also took issue with the Chief Minister's intention to erect a Mahatma Gandhi statue, contending that an administration genuinely aligned with Gandhian values would refrain from demolitions targeting residents settled along the Musi corridor. He further asserted that families slated for displacement—including their children—have submitted appeals to authorities requesting protection of their residences, yet the administration has reportedly remained unresponsive to these grievances.

During the address, KTR accused the BJP of complicity with the Congress government's approach to the Musi initiative. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's administration are collaborating on land seizure and demolition activities tied to the project. Questioning why the Centre has not stepped in to safeguard the welfare of impacted populations, KTR further claimed that Telangana's BJP representatives publicly oppose the project while simultaneously permitting related approvals to proceed.

KTR also challenged the government's budgetary allocations, noting that the Congress administration has claimed insufficient resources for delivering electoral commitments yet appears ready to invest ₹1.5 lakh crore in the Musi project. He alleged the substantial expenditure serves primarily to generate commissions and argued the capital should instead address voter expectations. Characterizing the Congress government's record as underwhelming, KTR suggested that citizens throughout Telangana are seeking a political alternative.