Cong govt in Telangana gears up for land acquisition challenge to develop 'Future City'

Hyderabad: The Congress government in Telangana is gearing up for another round of the challenge of acquiring approximately 15,000 acres of land for the "future city," an ambitious project of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

The government plans to develop a new city at Mucherla in Ranga Reddy district adjoining Hyderabad, covering a total area of 45,000 acres. Currently, 15,000 acres of government land and another 15,000 acres of forest land are available. However, the government still needs an additional 15,000 acres, which it will acquire from farmers. Given the recent resistance from farmers in Lagacherla over acquisition of their lands for a Pharma Village it's not going to be an easy task for the government to acquire such huge land for Future City.

Few days ago Revanth Reddy at a public meeting himself announced that government needs another 15,000 acres of land to build the Future City that will compete with international cities like New York. He urged farmers to be part of the Future City.

Few months ago, Revanth Reddy told the state assembly that after Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Cyberabad, Mucherla in Ranga Reddy district will be the fourth future city.

He stated that the fourth city will be the destination for investments, entertainment, sports, academia, and the future of Hyderabad.

“We will establish a wonderful city by constructing a world-class skill development university and sports university, building an international cricket stadium, and developing medical facilities to convert Mucherla into a health hub. It will become a destination for investment, health, education, skill training, international cricket tournaments, employment opportunities, and golf clubs,” said Revanth Reddy.

The previous BRS government had acquired around 19,000 acres in Mucherla to develop a Pharma City to attract investments in the Pharmaceutical sector. It had plans to develop the Pharma City in its third term if elected.

In the last year assembly polls, BRS lost and Congress won the mandate. Immediately after assuming power Revanth Reddy announced scrapping the Pharma City project and the land acquired for it will be utilised to develop Future City.

Accordingly, he also laid the foundation stone for establishing a skills university in Mucherla. However in one instance BRS working president KT Rama Rao cautioned of legal consequences if the lands are used for other purposes as the acquisition was legally bindto develop Pharma City.