HYDERABAD: Telangana IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu lashed out at the opposition, particularly the BRS, for allegedly spreading false propaganda around the Kancha Gachibowli land issue, in an attempt to divert public attention and hinder development efforts in the state.
Speaking at a press conference held at Gandhi Bhavan, Sridhar Babu said that despite the Supreme Court clearly ruling that the 400-acre land in Gachibowli belongs to the state government, opposition leaders are continuing to spread misinformation. He alleged that fake AI-generated videos and misleading content are being circulated on social media to malign the government and create confusion among the public.
He strongly condemned the BRS for trying to portray the issue as an environmental concern, asking sarcastically whether there were wild elephants roaming near HCU as claimed by detractors. He said the intent behind these narratives is to block investments and job creation in Hyderabad.
The Minister clarified that the Future City project, which includes plans to establish IT companies on the land, is aimed at decongesting the city and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth. He reiterated that no real estate developer has been allotted the land and that the land will be utilised for the public good.
He also stated that the bond issuance process was conducted in line with SEBI norms, and there was no loan taken from ICICI Bank, countering another rumour being circulated. According to him, 37 entities have invested through bond purchases, helping the government raise funds at lower interest rates – a significant improvement over the previous BRS regime, which, he claimed, took loans at 11% interest for projects like Kaleshwaram.
On farm loan waivers, Sridhar Babu asserted that the Congress government had already implemented the waiver scheme using funds mobilised through TGIGC, countering BRS’s criticism on the issue.
He further criticised the BRS for opposing land acquisition for public welfare projects while themselves having acquired thousands of acres for Pharma City during their term. He said the Congress government had made no changes to land acquisition laws and is committed to transparency and fairness.
Defending the Musi river rejuvenation, Sridhar Babu argued that such environmental efforts were being wrongly portrayed as harmful, and accused the opposition of trying to sabotage clean-up initiatives in the name of environmental protection.
He said the real aim of the opposition is to disrupt development and mislead citizens, as they are unable to digest the progress made under CM Revanth Reddy’s leadership.
The BRS party’s cheap tactics are a setback for Telangana’s progress! They’re using the HCU lands issue to spread misinformation and instigate students, rather than focusing on constructive development. This behavior is not only irresponsible but also divisive.
It’s time for the… pic.twitter.com/in7W5GWOsb
— Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) April 12, 2025
