l ‘We will send encroachers to jail, if necessary,’
l 2BHKs to house 11,000 poor residents in Musi zone
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has issued a stern warning to occupants of houses that have come up illegally in buffer zones of lakes across the state, saying: “Vacate respectfully or we’ll demolish ruthlessly”.
The Chief Minister was addressing the passing-out parade at the Telangana Police Academy in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Revanth Reddy emphasized that encroachments, particularly those affecting water bodies like ponds, lakes, and canals, were a major cause of floods with devastating impacts on the poor.
While appealing to illegal occupants to vacate their homes voluntarily, he warned that should they refuse; the government would have no hesitation in demolishing all illegal structures. “We will send encroachers to jail, if necessary,” he added, reflecting the government’s determination to preserve water bodies.
While highlighting the Musi Riverfront Development project, the Chief Minister declared that encroachments along the river would be removed and rehabilitation provided to the 11,000 permanent residents in the area. Additionally, the government planned to build double-bedroom houses for these residents, ensuring their welfare, he added. In his address, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling drug addiction and cybercrime among the youth, while urging a collective effort to eradicate drug menace from Telangana. He praised the state’s police force and expressed confidence that Telangana would soon become drug-free due to their dedication.
Revanth Reddy also announced the establishment of two Residential Police Schools, one in Hyderabad and another in Warangal, as part of the government’s efforts to support families of police personnel. He mentioned that the state government had waived Rs 18,000 crore in farm loans, benefiting over 22 lakh farmers, and reiterated the state’s focus on attracting investments while supporting farmers, weavers, and toddy tappers.