Not touching even an inch of HCU land in Kancha Gachibowli: IT Minister Sridhar Babu

Hyderabad: IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu on Monday told the Assembly that the Telangana government has not touched even an inch of the land belonging to the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) in Kancha Gachibowli.

Sridhar Babu was reacting to the remarks made by AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the Assembly on the strong opposition from environmental activists and city youth, who believe the sale of HCU lands will destroy two lakes (Buffalo Lake and Peacock Lake) and replace the green cover with a concrete jungle.

Akbaruddin made reference to the Congress government's intention to put 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli up for auction. To prevent the state's Congress government from auctioning off university property, the institution's joint action committee also wrote to Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the AICC.

In response to concerns voiced during the discussion on Demands for Grants for the welfare of SCs, STs, BCs, minorities, women, and child welfare, and the disabled Sridhar Babu, who also holds the Legislative Affairs portfolio, told the assembly that the opposition had fabricated a story claiming the government was interested in the university property. Rumors are being disseminated by people with vested interests, he said.

“We have also a very big concern. I, and deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu hail from the HCU. Moreover, we have the utmost responsibility in safeguarding these lands. We are very clear to the university officials. Recently, the vice-chancellor and registrar of the university visited us. They also told us that the land doesn’t belong to them.”

“We also know that somebody is behind it. I like to assure the floor of the Assembly to AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi and other members that we will never touch the two lakes and also rocks which are part and parcel of the HCU. Also, we also don’t want to claim a single inch of land from HCU and want to give an assurance on behalf of the chief minister,” Sridhar Babu said.

It may be recalled here that, for the last few days, environmental and wildlife conservationists have stepped up their demonstrations against the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation's (TSIIC) scheduled auction of 400-acre forest in Kancha Gachibowli under the name of the "Save City Forests Collective.”

During the session, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi said, Hyderabad real estate has fallen overall. What's wrong with the market? Thanks to HYDRAA and Musi Rejuvenation Project for causing market collapse.”

Clarifying Akbaruddin's concerns that HYDRAA and Musi Rejuvenation projects were the primary causes of a drop in real estate in and around the city, Sridhar Babu said that HYDRAA was a big success.

"People from the middle and lower classes are lining up to petition HYDRAA. Prajavani and other venues have been used to receive petitions against encroachments. Up to 9,078 petitions were filed with HYDRAA; 7,249 of these were decided in a way that gave the petitioners justice. A real estate downturn has nothing to do with HYDRAA. Even in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other cities, real estate is declining, according to figures I can submit before the House," the IT minister stated.