Rajnath lays stone for VLF radar station in Damagudam; CM vows no construction in 1,500 acres

Vikarabad: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the Indian Navy’s Very Low Frequency (VLF) radar station at Damagudem forest area in the district. This inauguration comes in amid protests by a group of concerned citizens and activists from Telangana who have written to chief minister A Revanth Reddy and Union minister for Environment, Forests Bhupender Yadav, flagging environmental concerns over setting up a radar station in Damagundam Reserve Forest.

It is the Navy’s second VLF communication transmission station in the country. INS Kattabomman Radar Station at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu was the first of its kind.

Don’t believe in misconceptions, says CM

Speaking at the launch, chief minister Revanth Reddy said, “Some are trying to dispute the VLF. They are trying to create misconceptions that injustice will be done to the people with VLF. In 1990, Tamil Nadu also started something similar, but no one has been affected. Telangana community should recognise the importance of this project.”

As the region is also home to the historically and religiously significant Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple, CM Revanth Reddy requested the Centre to allow people to visit the temple. Earlier in the day, while addressing media persons in Hyderabad, Union minister G Kishan Reddy said it was a proud moment for Telangana as the project (radar station) is important in terms of national security.

Refuting the allegations made by BRS leader KT Rama Rao, that his party is opposing the construction of the radar station in Vikarabad district as it would create ecological imbalance, Reddy said it was the previous K Chandrasekhar Rao-led regime which gave land and permissions to the Centre.

2,900 acres of land in Dhamagundam Forest area

“In December 2017, the Telangana government’s Forest and Environment Department gave the clearance. As per the GO issued then, 2,900 acres of land at Dhamagundam Forest area were given for the project,” the Telangana BJP chief said. Reddy further said the project was conceptualised in 2010 when Manmohan Singh was the prime minister.

‘No construction on 1,500 acres’

The Union minister said as there is a need to cut some trees to construct the radar centre, Rs 130 crores was deposited with the Forest department by the defence ministry. KTR alleged that the project is being taken up in 2,900 acres of land by felling 12 lakh trees. Reddy said, that out of the 2,900 acres there will not be any construction in 1,500 acres. “Not even a single plant will be removed in 1,500 acres,” he asserted. Accommodations for the naval staff would be constructed in some parts of the land, he said.

‘12 lakh trees to be cut’

Meanwhile, according to the Damagundam Adavi Parirakshana Vedika (Save Damagundam Forests Forum), the project threatens the ecological balance of the region and could have serious environmental consequences. Damagundam Forest which is about 80 km from Hyderabad is very rich in bio-diversity and has rare tree varieties, especially medicinal plants. This area also serves as the Musi River catchment zone.

According to the group, the project would necessitate the cutting down of approximately 12 lakh trees to clear 2,900 acres of forest land. This area includes 1,400 acres for Antenna Park, 1,090 acres for technical areas, 310 acres for official and residential complexes, and 100 acres designated as a ‘safe zone’ for radiation hazards.

The long-term environmental repercussions of the project pose significant risks to the State and its people. The area serves as a crucial catchment zone, and its destruction could exacerbate flooding in Hyderabad.