Date:27/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/27/stories/2008012758200600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Musi issue: slum dwellers’ fears allayed

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Congress MLA, Malreddy Ranga Reddy, on Friday has assured the slum dwellers residing abutting the Musi river from Chaderghat to Nagole that they would not be shifted for the river beautification project.

“It is my responsibility to protect you. If necessary I will discuss the issue with the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and resolve it at the earliest”, he said, while addressing a public meeting organised by the Campaign for Housing and Tenurial Rights (CHATRI) here.

Houses promised

Apart from beautifying the river, houses would also be constructed for every family. The slum dwellers have been fearing displacement ever since the project was conceived. Mr. Reddy reminded that the issue was also raised during the recently held District Development Review Committee meeting.

Rajya Sabha MP Aziz Pasha said agitations would be organised if the Government tried to shift the residents and pointed out that a slum clearance programme launched in Chennai faced stiff resistance from different organisations. “Hence, it is advisable to authorities to shelve the idea and construct permanent houses for the slum dwellers”, he added.