Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy kicked off the revived Batukamma Kunta Lake in Hyderabad’s Amberpet area on Sunday, drawing cheers from locals during the festive Batukamma celebrations.
Reddy called on everyone in Telangana to rally behind the Musi Rejuvenation project, no matter their political views. This ambitious effort aims to bring the long-forgotten River Musi back to life and shield Hyderabad from devastating floods. “We need your full support to make this happen,” he urged, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.
After cutting the ribbon at the lake, Reddy highlighted how Hyderabad used to manage fine with just 2 cm of rain. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change has sparked more intense cloudbursts and flooding risks. His government stepped up early, rolling out plans to bolster infrastructure and safeguard the environment against these threats.
Reddy pointed out that past administrations let the Musi turn into a trash dump. Now, his team is tackling that head-on through the Musi project, restoring abandoned lakes and ponds while protecting vital water bodies across the city. “We’re seeing homes flood in the Musi catchment areas just an hour after rain hits Hyderabad— we can’t let that continue,” he warned, pushing residents to back the revival and prevent future natural disasters.
He directed Hyderabad’s in-charge minister, Ponnam Prabhakar, to hit the ground in Amberpet, survey the Musi-affected zones, and draft proposals to rehabilitate low-income families living there. Reddy also stressed developing the area without any political drama, focusing on real progress for the community.
Turning to vulnerable residents, Reddy advised the poor to steer clear of shady deals with land mafias trying to offload government properties at bargain prices. “Our government always has your back—we get the struggles of the poor, unlike the opposition who just use poverty as a political tool,” he said.
Reddy defended the creation of HYDRAA, the agency fighting to protect water bodies and clear illegal encroachments. Despite early criticism and hurdles, the government pushed forward to get results.
Tying into the spirit of Batukamma—a vibrant festival honoring women—Reddy said women’s active involvement is key to its success. He added that his administration is working hard to put Hyderabad on the global map as a modern, resilient city.
Finally, Reddy greenlit a plan to name the Batukamma Kunta after Congress veteran V Hanumantha Rao, following a pitch from local MLA K Venkatesh. He praised Rao’s tireless work in reviving this historic water body in Amberpet. Reddy also noted how Rao’s input led to naming the state guesthouse Pragathi Bhavan after social reformer Jyotirao Phule.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
