Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday questioned the Congress government’s bullet train land acquisition plans at Bahadurpally. He asked why agricultural land was being acquired when government-owned alternatives were available.
Rama Rao met affected farmers at Telangana Bhavan and discussed their concerns over the proposed project. He said the BRS did not oppose the bullet train project. However, the party opposed forced acquisition of farmland when government-owned land remained available, he said.
“Around 5,500 acres were previously acquired for the Shamshabad airport, and the state holds a 13 per cent stake in the venture alongside the GMR Group,” Rama Rao said. “Why can’t the unused airport land be utilised instead of displacing farmers who have cultivated their lands for generations?” he asked.
KTR challenges bullet train land acquisition plan
Rama Rao also questioned the reported requirement of nearly 1,000 acres for a single station. He alleged that the government planned to acquire farmland at depressed rates for real estate ventures linked to Congress leaders.
He also questioned the reported deployment of nearly 4,000 police personnel at the site. Rama Rao argued that the deployment raised questions about the government’s claims over clear ownership of the land.
The BRS leader urged farmers not to sign documents giving up their land. He said the party would support their opposition to the bullet train land acquisition through legal channels. Rama Rao also said the BRS was prepared to take the dispute to the Supreme Court if necessary.