The Musi Riverfront Development Project in Hyderabad has caused a lot of worry for local residents. Many people living near the Musi River are protesting against the government’s plans to develop the river. They are upset because the project involves demolishing their homes. Some residents argue that while Chief Minister Revanth Reddy may be in office for five years, the struggles of the poor will last much longer.
Tensions have been rising in the areas around the Musi River as the government began a survey to identify homes marked for demolition. Since Thursday, officials have been marking houses in the area, and the residents have been protesting, fearing they will lose their homes. Late Thursday night, many affected residents took to the streets to protest, and the demonstrations continued into Friday with peaceful protests, including a rally to the Telangana state secretariat. The protests happened under heavy police security.
During the protests, residents voiced their anger, accusing the government of ruining their lives by planning to destroy their homes. Many chanted slogans like “Revanth Reddy down down” and “CM down down.” They also blamed the Congress government for their troubles. One woman in Langar Houz expressed regret over voting out the previous Chief Minister, KCR, saying it was a mistake.
Officials from the revenue department visited several areas near the Musi River, including Malakpet, Chaderghat, LB Nagar, Rajendranagar, and others, to mark homes in the buffer zone and riverbed. However, when they arrived for the surveys, they were met with resistance from the residents. The protesters blocked the officials’ activities, forcing them to leave after chanting “go-back” slogans.
In Langar Houz, some displaced residents held a protest at the local police station, while others blocked the Ring Road, causing long traffic jams. Protesters continued to raise slogans against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the government of treating them unfairly.
In other areas like Chaitanyapuri, Satya Nagar, and Maruti Nagar, revenue officials continued their surveys and marked more homes for demolition. Many residents, particularly women, pleaded emotionally with the officials not to mark their homes, but the surveys went ahead under police protection. People said they did not want to move to the double-bedroom houses promised by the government.
In a tragic incident, one resident from Chaitanyapuri tried to set himself on fire to stop the officials. The police intervened and took him to the hospital. His wife was nine months pregnant at the time.
In Kishanbagh, locals gathered outside the Revenue Office holding signs that said, “Do not destroy our houses” and demanded “land for land.” They also questioned why leaders from the AIMIM party were silent about their situation now that their families were suffering.
In Malakpet, a resident of New Maruthi Nagar expressed frustration. She explained that her family had been living in their house for two decades, paying taxes and using government services like water and electricity. She questioned why the government had not told them earlier that the property might be affected, as they had spent Rs 20 lakh on the house.
As part of the survey, officials marked over 1,166 structures for demolition on Friday. On Thursday, they had already marked 1,000 structures. In total, 2,166 structures have been marked for demolition, with 1,599 in Hyderabad, 239 in Medchal-Malkajgiri, and 323 in Ranga Reddy district.
