Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday, June 18, asserted that the State government would press ahead with the Musi River Rejuvenation Project and the proposed Bharat Future City despite opposition, while warning that encroachments on lakes, parks and stormwater drains would not be tolerated.

Addressing a public meeting at the lunch of Vanamahotsavam, the Chief Minister said that development in Rangareddy district had remained concentrated in select areas. Localities such as LB Nagar, BN Reddy Nagar, Vanasthalipuram and Gurramguda had not received adequate attention from previous governments. He announced that the government was developing an international-standard fruit market spread over 240 acres at an estimated cost of ₹2,400 crore.

Defending the government’s anti-encroachment drive, Mr Reddy said measures have been put in place to safeguard lakes and stormwater drains to prevent flooding in residential colonies. Referring to Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), he said attempts were being made to portray the agency as a monster, but clarified that it would not trouble people constructing houses on legally-owned land. “Those who had encroached upon lakes, parks and drainage channels would face stringent action, irrespective of their influence,” he added.

He said HYDRAA had reclaimed temple land in Vanasthalipuram and argued that encroachments on water bodies had aggravated flooding in several colonies, including areas around Saroornagar Lake.

Mr. Reddy defended the Musi River rejuvenation project, stating that pollution in the river had caused serious hardships to residents and affected people in downstream districts, particularly Nalgonda. He alleged that industrial pollution had earlier contaminated water in the LB Nagar area and affected property values. He accused the opposition parties of attempting to obstruct the Musi project and the proposed Bharat Future City by moving courts and environmental bodies. Rejecting criticism of the project, he said the government was planning to create a city of international standards with 60% green cover and a 15,000-acre forest area within the proposed 30,000-acre Bharat Future City.

“We will certainly clean up the Musi river and develop the 55-km stretch from Gandipet to Gowrelli to international standards,” he said.