RRR faces resistance from local bodies over land acquisition

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Regional Ring Road (RRR) project is now facing resistance from local bodies, which are planning to pass resolutions seeking realignment of RRR to save agricultural lands from land acquisition for the project.

Bhongir municipality passed a unanimous resolution seeking realignment of RRR after farmers in Rayagiri village intensified their agitation programmes against land acquisition. Local bodies in Yadadri, Sangareddy, Medak and Siddipet districts are planning to pass such resolutions.

The gram panchayats and municipalities are under pressure from farmers to pass resolutions seeking realignment of RRR with the Centre expected to issue 3D notification to acquire lands any time after the state government agreed to deposit Rs 100 crore with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) recently towards land acquisition costs.

Farmers from Rayagiri village in Yadadri-Bhongir district argue that they had already lost 100 acres for expansion of National Highway-163, another 45 acres for canals related to Kaleshwaram project and another three acres for setting up HT (high tension) electricity towers and lines.

Now, officials have decided to acquire 256 acres in Rayagiri village for the RRR project. Wilting under pressure, local leaders from BRS, BJP and the Congress are extending support to the farmers on this issue.
BRS Bhongir legislator Pailla Shekar Reddy took the initiative to pass a resolution by Bhongir municipality seeking realignment of RRR.
"We have passed the resolution and referred it to the state government for consideration through the district collector. We will request the Chief Minister to write a letter to the Centre on this," said Shekar Reddy.
Farmers allege that as per the original alignment drafted by the state government, the RRR was supposed to pass through Motakonduru village,
but changes were made due to pressure exerted by some BRS leaders, who wanted to protect their lands in the area.

According to the official gazette released by the government for the construction of the RRR northern stretch (158 km), revenue officials are planning to acquire 1852 acres spread over 34 villages in Yadadri-Bhongir district.

The farmers allege that BRS leaders and other influential people, who own tens and hundreds of acres in the district, had influenced the changes in the original alignment.

BJP senior leader from Bhongir district, Gudur Narayan Reddy also extended support to the farmers.

Gudur said, "Passing resolution seeking realignment of RRR is a mere eye-wash by BRS leaders. If they are really sincere, they should compel the Chief Minister to write a letter to Centre seeking realignment. It must be done before the Centre issues 3D notification to acquire lands. This should be ensures by the Bhongir MLA. If he does, I am ready to speak to the Centre and convince it for realignment."