Skip to main content

A project of mega displacement, land grab, privatization: K'taka CM warned

Counterview Desk 
Over 100 activists, environmentalists, academics from all across India as well as Telangana issued an urgent open Statement today, on the eve of the launch of Musi Riverfront Development Project by the Chief Minister of Telangana. Initiated by the National Forum of Urban Struggles (SHRAM) of the National Alliance of Peoples Movements (NAPM), the statement calls for an immediate and comprehensive review of the Musi Riverfront Project, from all angles, in a truly consultative, people-centric and ecologically just manner.
The signatories questioned as to why the project is being hastened and demolitions of homes of poor working people being carried out, without even the Detailed Project Report (DPR), clearances and rehabilitation policy in place.
Key demands include: Musi River Rejuvenation should not be a project of mega displacement, land grab and privatization! Project should not be hurried without DPR, all legal compliances and clearances, R&R Policy, public consultations; ecological free flow of Musi must be ensured by ending industrial, municipal pollution and not by commodification of urban commons or diversion of forests, farm lands for mega projects; and arbitrary evictions, demolitions must stop and rights to dignified housing, livelihoods, education, democratic participation of all Musi residents, with transparency, must be upheld.
The signatories felt that the Congress Government which came to power in Telangana promising socially just and inclusive governance, must demonstrate the same in practice. Any river rejuvenation should be in a manner that does least harm to the commons and riverine population, avoiding unnecessary eviction and land acquisition, especially for commercial interests.

Text

The National Forum of Urban Struggles (SHRAM) of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) expresses deep concern at the manner in which Mr. Revanth Reddy, Chief Minister of Telangana is proceeding with the ‘Musi Riverfront Development Project’, without adequate consideration to the numerous socio-ecological, economic dimensions of the Project. As the CM is all set to formally lay the foundation stone for the Project tomorrow, we call for an immediate and comprehensive review of the Musi Riverfront Project, from all angles, in a truly consultative, people-centric and ecologically just manner.
For over three decades, successive governments tried to introduce the same Project in different forms, although none of them sought to address the fundamental issues around deteriorating riverine health and people’s rights. The infamous Nandanavanam Project had to be scrapped by the then Chief Minister Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu in 2000, after a strong people’s movement. The BRS Govt established the Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL), during its first term, although it didn’t stay in power to pursue the Project. The Congress Govt has now made this its flagship program and the CM, in particular is almost unrelenting, considering this his ‘Dream Project’, visiting and drawing ‘inspiration’ from London and Seoul !
The past month in particular has seen hectic activity on the ground, with hundreds of houses being marked in red as RB-X (said be in the Musi River bed), and many among them already demolished, despite no notice and stiff opposition by people who have been living there since generations. As per official figures, close to 300 families have been shifted (many involuntarily) to the 2-BHK housing units in different localities, although the facilities at these locations is far from desirable. So far, none of the tenants and multiple families residing within each structure have been ensured rehabilitation. Hundreds of other families whose houses have been arbitrarily marked as RB-X, ‘M’ or are said to be in the ‘buffer zone’ are living in constant uncertainty and fear of eviction. The criteria for such markings haven’t yet been put out officially, although authorities claim that 10,000 structures across the Musi would be affected! Most of these families are working class, lower, middle- income residents whose livelihoods are closely knit in the area.
We are of the considered view that a Project of this scale having wide ramifications on Telangana should not be pursued in such haste and without widespread public consultations. There are some fundamental concerns that first need to be addressed by the Government:
  • Why is the Project being hastened and demolitions of homes of poor being carried out without even the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Rehabilitation Policy in place?
  • What is the total extent of land required for this Project and what would be the overall number of people and families displaced?
  • Has the Project secured all mandatory clearances (environmental, municipal, finance etc) from appropriate authorities?
  • Have project authorities followed the compliance mechanism processes and conditions of the World Bank and other multilateral financial institutions whose finances are to be involved?
  • If the Project is only for cleaning of Musi from industrial and municipal pollution and flood control, why is so much land needed, why construct mega theme parks, tourism hubs and private ventures along the river banks?
  • How can a ‘Clean Musi’ Project be successful if the Govt continues with other projects like ‘Pharma villages’ and Damagundam Forest Navy Radar Project that would have an adverse bearing on the health of Musi?
Reports indicate that alongside the Musi Riverfront Project, other Hyderabad-based projects like Future City, mega road and infrastructure hubs, would cost a whopping 1.5 lakh crores. This raises larger questions as to whether expenditure of such a scale is desirable, while crucial sectors like education, health, agriculture, housing and social security need more attention and investment. Musi Rejuvenation must mean preserving the riverine health and hydrological wellness and not opening up urban commons for capitalist commodification and real estate. Musi needs attention across its 267 kms stretch (including the 55 kms flowing through Hyderabad), addressing concerns of people living alongside it and farmers of 64 villages in the downstream, who are entitled to pollution-free water for irrigation.
We call upon the authorities to immediately stop all attempts at eviction G displacement. Those already unjustly evicted must be fully rehabilitated and the Govt must declare its Rehabilitation Policy forthwith, addressing aspects of dignified housing, livelihoods, education etc. in the event of further displacement of people from the river bed. Any rejuvenation should be in a manner that does least harm to the commons and riverine population, avoiding unnecessary eviction and land acquisition, especially for commercial interests.
The Congress Government which came to power in the state last year, after the significant Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi promised a socially just and inclusive governance, catering to the needs of the marginalized sections of society. Mr. Rahul Gandhi has also (rightly) constantly been raising concerns of crony capitalism at the Centre. However, in Telangana, the manner in which this Project is being bulldozed raises alarm bells over the status of democratic and inclusive decision-making. At the very least, the Govt should have followed the processes in the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Act, 2013 which came in during the UPA regime, after protracted people’s movements. Likewise, the Govt owes to people all information through proactive disclosure, in terms of the letter and spirit of RTI Act, 2005, which was also brought in by UPA.
A Government which claims to build a ‘world-class city’ must first adhere to the internationally recognized principle of free, prior, informed consent of and consultation with people at every stage of Project. We hope that the CM would roll back his capitalist model of river revival and instead uphold a truly democratic, ecologically just, people's vision of Musi Rejuvenation.
---
*Click here for signatories 

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*   In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.