Govt U-Turn saves Sharada Peetham land in Kokapet

Revanth cancels the controversial land transfer while Min Sridhar Babu prepares to iron out details on the ground

The Chief Minister advised the Peetham representatives to meet Minister Sridhar Babu, who also serves as the in-charge Minister for Ranga Reddy district, to furnish detailed reports on the constructions and other site conditions

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana state government has taken a U turn on Sri Sharada Peetham land in Kokapet. IT Minister D Sridhar Babu played a key role in the government withdrawing its decision on the land. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed the continuation of land allocation to the Visakha Sharada Peetham in Kokapet, effectively cancelling the fresh assignment of 3.95 acres to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) for a drinking water project. This decision follows a political row that erupted over the reallocation, highlighting concerns about ongoing constructions and the impact on the Peetham's spiritual and cultural activities.

The issue came to light when representatives of the Visakha Sharada Peetham approached the Chief Minister, detailing the advanced stage of various construction works on the site. Originally allocated to the Peetham for its programs, the land was reassigned to HMWSSB, sparking widespread debate and criticism regarding procedural oversights and potential disruptions to the institution's operations. The controversy drew attention to the need for thorough assessments before such reallocations, especially involving culturally significant entities.

Responding promptly, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who was in a high-level meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat on Saturday evening, inquired into the current status of constructions under the Peetham's oversight and expressed strong displeasure at the officials for failing to provide accurate and timely information about these developments when the land was earmarked for HMWSSB.

Emphasising accountability, the CM ordered the immediate revocation of the HMWSSB allocation, ensuring the lands remain with the Peetham to support its ongoing initiatives.

Further, the Chief Minister advised the Peetham representatives to meet Minister Sridhar Babu, who also serves as the in-charge Minister for Ranga Reddy district, to furnish detailed reports on the constructions and other site conditions. This step aims to facilitate smooth coordination and prevent future discrepancies.

Thanks to Minister Sridhar Babu's involvement, the Peetham can look forward to uninterrupted possession of the lands. Representatives are expected to engage with the Minister soon, following his constituency visit, to advance discussions as per the CM's instructions.

Visakha Sharada Peetham has been at the centre of a heated land dispute in Kokapet, a prime area known for its soaring real estate values. The controversy traces back to 2019, when the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) regime, led by then-Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, allocated approximately 2 acres of government land in Survey Number 240 to the Peetham.

This allotment, made at a nominal rate of just Rs 1 per acre, was intended to support the establishment of a Sakha Peetham for spiritual and cultural programs, including the construction of the Rajashyamala Temple.

The decision sparked debates at that time, given the land's substantial worth—basic valuation at Rs 1.5 crore per acre and market rates soaring to Rs 12 crore per acre. Following the allocation, the Peetham paid  Rs 1.05 crore for registration and an additional Rs 23 lakh to secure permissions from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA). Over the years, construction progressed steadily, transforming the site into a place for devotional activities, with structures like temples and facilities for cultural events taking shape.

This move by the BRS government was seen as a gesture to bolster religious institutions, aligning with their broader agenda of promoting Telangana's cultural identity.

Fast forward to recent developments, and the plot thickened when the current administration allocated 3.95 acres of land at Kokapet Neopolis, including two acres of the peetham land to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board to strengthen drinking water infrastructure in the rapidly expanding western corridor of Hyderabad.

The allocation forms part of the Godavari Drinking Water Supply Project Phase II and III, which aims to bring an additional 300 MGD of water to the city to meet rising demand driven by population growth and large scale vertical development around the Outer Ring Road.

Existing Water Board land at Khanapur, measuring 8.75 acres, is adequate only for a 22.5 ML Master Balancing Reservoir, two Elevated Level Service Reservoirs, a chlorination unit and maintenance facilities. To establish further essential infrastructure such as a sump, pump house, section office, Ground Level Service Reservoir and STP works within the Neopolis layout, additional land was required.

The alloted 3.95 acres land, located at an elevation of about 592 meters, authorities said was technically suitable for gravity based water distribution, reducing the need for pumping. From this reservoir system, water can be supplied to Neopolis, Kokapet and Bojagutta, and further extended to Old City, Mehdipatnam, Shaikpet and Red Hills, ensuring long-term operational savings and a stronger drinking water network for the growing city. However, due to the fresh controversy, this project will not go ahead in its present form and authorities have to look for alternative proposals.