Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) on Monday halted ongoing road works on land allotted to journalists in Pet Basheerabad, following direct intervention by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
HMDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmad, IAS, issued immediate orders to stop all road and related development works passing through Survey No. 25/2 — a parcel specifically earmarked for journalists. The decision came after journalists threatened to lay siege to the HMDA office, drawing the Chief Minister’s attention.
Following CM Revanth Reddy’s instructions, senior officials contacted HMDA leadership, prompting urgent internal consultations. Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmad summoned lower-level officers and held a half-hour meeting with representatives from the journalist community.
In a significant reversal, Sarfaraz Ahmad clarified that the road cutting through the journalists’ land was not part of the approved master plan. Just three weeks earlier, he had claimed it was. On Monday, however, he acknowledged the error and officially retracted the earlier statement.
He then directed field officials present at the site to stop road construction activities immediately. “I have resolved your issue without delay,” the Commissioner told journalists at the site.
The journalists had received the land allocation under a scheme initiated by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. They credited the CM for safeguarding their allotment and swiftly addressing the dispute.