The demolition of film actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s N Convention Centre at Thammidikunta in Madhapur has been creating a nightmare for several senior Congress ministers, MLAs and key party leaders, rather than the general public.
Opposition parties alleged that HYDRA’s sudden burst into action was a tactful act to divert public attention from other burning issues like the crop loan waiver fiasco, increasing seasonal diseases and lack of facilities at hospitals and the breakdown of administration in gram panchayats among others.
However, some Congress leaders feared that it would reach towards their neck. As a result, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s political high drama in this regard has been creating tremors among senior Congress leaders.
The leaders of the ruling party were furious after the evidence of luxurious houses and farmhouses built by Congress ministers, MLAs and key leaders of the party in FTL and buffer zones around Gandipet (Osman Sagar) and Himayat Sagar were exposed.
It is known that even those who made serious statements saying, ‘If it is against the rules, demolish our buildings’, have bitten their tongues. It is reported that some ministers and key Congress leaders had been summoned on Saturday and called Hydra Commissioner AV. Ranganath.
They asked him to desist from taking up any further demolitions in the buffer zone of the twin reservoirs. However, with Ranganath reporting directly to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on any action to be taken up, the Congress Ministers and leaders are apprehensive whether Ranganath will listen to them. Rangnath said to be tightlipped and remained calm towards their `directions’.
Moreover, those who own buildings in the Full Tank Level (FTL) or buffer zone, are worried over the memo issued in 2007, incidentally by the Congress government led by the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The memo clearly lists out regulatory measures and demarcations applicable for both Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar.
It clearly indicated that no development will be allowed upto 500 metres from the bund or FTL in the downstream and the same should be declared as a prohibited zone. This apart, beyond 500 m and upto 1000 m (one km) downstream, only low rise residential development (ground plus two floors) was to be permitted.
Beyond 1000m downstream, all developments such as residential, commercial, IT units, hotels, public and semi public developments could be allowed except for 68 specific industries.