Speaking in the Assembly on Wednesday, 26 March, the chief minister dismissed concerns raised by environmentalists, students, and opposition parties as "politically motivated."
Published Mar 27, 2025 | 11:51 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 27, 2025 | 11:51 AM
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. (X)
Synopsis: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy defended the auction of 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli, stating it doesn’t belong to the University of Hyderabad and dismissing environmental concerns. He emphasized the land’s historical allocation and its role in industrial growth, challenging opposition claims. Protests from students and activists cite potential ecological damage, but officials assured no harm to sensitive areas.
In a statement that could inflame passions further, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy asserted that the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli, earmarked for auction to industries, does not belong to the University of Hyderabad (UoH) and lacks the wildlife as claimed by protesters.
Speaking in the Assembly on Wednesday, 26 March, the chief minister dismissed concerns raised by environmentalists, students, and Opposition parties as “politically motivated.”
“There are no tigers or lions here. Only a few jackals are there, creating trouble for the government,” he remarked.
Revanth Reddy traced the land’s history, stating that 25 years ago, the undivided Andhra Pradesh government (then led by N Chandrababu Naidu) allotted 400 acres in Kancha Gachibowli to IMG Bharata, a private sports academy.
“We have now reclaimed the land and assigned it to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC),” he said.
Revanth Reddy challenged critics to verify the government’s claims, proposing an all-party committee of legislators to inspect the site. He emphasised that the land belongs to the state and will be auctioned for industrial and IT development.
He accused the previous BRS government and other parties of staying silent for a decade while the land remained with IMG Bharata. The chief minister claimed that the Congress government, after assuming power, swiftly reclaimed the land through legal means.
“Do Opposition parties want industrial growth or not? Do they want employment for youth or not?” he countered.
The University of Hyderabad, established in 1974, was originally allotted 2,300 acres in Kancha Gachibowli (Survey No 25). In 2003, UoH agreed to transfer 534 acres to IMG Bharata for a sports academy. However, after no progress was made, the Congress government reclaimed the land in 2007, leading to prolonged litigation.
In March 2024, the Telangana High Court ruled in favour of the government, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in May the same year after IMG Bharata’s appeal was dismissed.
The Telangana government plans to auction the 400-acre plot, valued at around ₹50,000 crore, to attract multinational companies, aiming to boost revenue and generate employment.
Students and activists, particularly the Save City Forest group, oppose the auction, citing a threat to wildlife and ecosystems, including Peacock Lake, Buffalo Lake, and rock formations. They compare the area’s ecological significance to Hyderabad’s KBR Park.
In response, Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu recently assured that the lakes and rock formations would remain untouched, and no university land would be encroached upon. “The auction by TGIIC will exclude ecologically sensitive zones, and biodiversity will not be harmed,” he said, adding that discussions with stakeholders are ongoing.
(Edited by Sumavarsha.)
