Hyderabad: Political parties, which look at slum populations as their prime vote bank, continue to make false promises of regularising lake lands that has been encroached. Musi River is one such area.
“There are over 10,000 houses along the stretch of Musi, touches over six Assembly constituencies in old city. The political parties, who are targeting voters of this segment, are making false promises of regularising the houses if they are voted to power,” said Osman Ali, an activist of Save Our Urban Lakes.
Ramchander, an occupant of a house on the banks of the river near Chaderghat, said, “Our prime concern is that the land which we bought with our savings be protected. The leaders are assuring to regularise the houses or at least find us a better place in another area.”
However, this is not the first time politicians are approaching slum dwellers, who feel cheated by the local agents and leaders who sold them the land that is part of the Musi River.
“Even during last several elections, the local political party which has been coming to power, promised us pucca houses or regularisation of these houses, but nothing happened,” said Syed Ghouse, a resident of the slum behind Defence Colony along Musi river under Karwan Constituency.
MBT corporator, Amjadullah Khan, who has been fighting against encroachments, said, “There is no agency that is ready to take responsibility of the Musi. The GHMC, HMDA, Irrigation department, Collectorate… they all just pass the buck.”
Allegedly, land sharks, hand-in-glove with GHMC officials and local leaders, are plotting the encroached area and selling it for Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per sq. yard.
Jasveen Jairath of Save Our Urban Lakes said, “It is not an issue similar to agriculture or government land where politicians promise to regularise or issue pattas once they come to power. In case of the Musi river, occupants face life threats during floods, like the one that happened in August 2000.
