HYDERABAD: Protests erupted in several areas along the Musi River, where homes have been marked for demolition under the Musi Riverfront Development Project along with plans to rehabilitate residents in the state government’s 2BHK housing scheme.
Residents in the riverside areas of Bahadurpura, Moosarambagh, Kothapet and Langar Houz took to the streets opposing demolition plans. In Kishanbagh, Bahadurpura, about around 200 people marched to the local revenue department office and staged a gherao until officials gave assurances with regard to their rehabilitation. At Kothapet, BJP Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajendar met the protesters.
The residents voiced their anger, desperation and helplessness. At Kishanbagh, a man attempted to douse himself with kerosene, but other demonstrators quickly intervened and stopped him. “How can the government offer a 2BHK flat in exchange for a two or three-storey house? Is that fair,” asked Abdul (name changed), a 65-year-old protester.
In Langar Houz, over 100 people gathered, beginning their protest at Attapur PVNR Pillar 99 and marching to the mandal revenue office at Golconda. Te protest ended when officials assured the demonstrators that no demolition would take place before the proper procedures were explained to them.
In Moosarambagh, revenue officials placed notices on the walls, stating that 80 factories near the bridge and Durganagar Basti, would be removed, affecting the livelihoods of many workers in the area.
