Opposition should refrain from baseless criticism on lakes protection, Musi river rejuvenation: Bhatti

Hyderabad: "During the last 10 years, as many as 20 tanks were fully encroached where there was no encroachment, while 24 tanks were fully encroached which were partly encroached and 127 tanks on encroachment extent has increased significantly," said Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu.

A report on encroachments of water bodies within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits from 2014 onwards was submitted to Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu by the officials concerned at Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat here on Monday.

Speaking to the media, Bhatti said, “Hyderabad city is known for its rocks, parks and lakes which enhance the charm of the city. But over a period of time, rocks disappeared and parks were becoming encroached on. The lakes which were constructed to provide drinking water resources for residents of Hyderabad too disappeared, exposing the city to the danger of flooding whenever heavy rains lashed the city.”

The deputy chief minister said that tank encroachments lead to severe problems like disappearance of flora and fauna, ecological imbalance, climate changes like rise in temperature etc. In all, Hyderabad has as many as 920 tanks. When the state was formed in 2014, 225 tanks were fully encroached, 196 tanks were partly encroached and 499 had no encroachments, he said.

“Is this good for Hyderabad? Should it be allowed to go unchecked? Think of a situation when there is no leftover water body in Hyderabad. This is all the heritage which we have got from our previous generations. What are we leaving for our next generation? I leave it to the wisdom of the people of Hyderabad,” Bhatti said.

Taking a jibe at the Opposition for creating misconceptions about HYDRAA and clean up of Musi Reservoir and also for levelling false allegations at the government, the deputy chief minister said that the previous governments which promised to protect lakes located inside the ORR from encroachments and clean up the Musi River failed miserably in taking corrective measures.

“Is it not a fact that former chief K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR), Ministers KTR, Harish Rao talked big about protecting lakes and that stern measures would be taken to prevent encroachments when they were in power,” Bhatti Vikramarka questioned. The Congress government has taken up the responsibility to protect lakes and hand over Hyderabad city to the future generations and ensure sustainable development and living, he added.

Bhatti also maintained that there was no scope for a personal or vested agenda for the people’s government in Indiramma Rajyam. “This government can no longer ignore the real threat to the city due to encroachment of lakes and is firm on implementing measures to protect the lakes, " he reiterated.

Making it clear that the encroached lakes are the property of the people of Hyderabad, Bhatti said, “Lakes in Hyderabad do not belong to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy or me. They belong to people, and they should be safely and carefully handed over to the future generations. This is our government’s agenda. It is not the responsibility of the Chief Minister or me alone to protect the lakes that are encroached on. If we don’t stop the scourge of encroachments, at least now, these lakes will disappear.”

Stating that the government is keen to attract the world’s attention to the global city of Hyderabad, the deputy chief minister said that the State Government is ready to listen to suggestions for the rejuvenation of the Musi river and “our doors are kept open for any constructive advice and suggestions,” he added.

He asked the opposition parties to come forth with views on what and how to go forward to benefit people. The government has no intention of inconveniencing anyone. Posing a direct question aimed at opposition leaders, he wanted them to spell out openly if they are for the growth and development of Hyderabad as a global city.

Bhatti said that at present the government is focusing on encroachments into Full Tank Level of lakes and not looking beyond that. He sought to know whether those who are criticising the government for its decision to take stern measures against lake encroachments are not aware of Sabarmati river cleanup in Gandhinagar in Gujarat State?

Taking on those who dared chief minister A Revanth Reddy, Bhatti demanded that they should explain why they were doing so. It was not proper to criticise the Chief Minister and government as per their will and wish. Assuring that the government’s sole agenda is to revive, rejuvenate Musi river , protect the lakes and do good to people, Bhatti said this government would not do any harm or cause loss to anyone. The Opposition should behave with responsibility and suggest how to do good to people.

"If the Opposition resorts to criticism and false allegations for gaining political mileage , they would be doing irreparable damage to the future generations, he warned. “I appeal to all political parties to come forward and give constructive suggestions on how best to benefit people,” he said.

Assuring that the government will not leave those losing houses in the Musi catchment area to their fate, Bhatti said that the government is ready to extend any kind of help to them. The government would also come to the aid of those who are living in thatched houses without any house pattas in the Musi catchment area, he added.