Despite outnumbered by the beneficiaries, the land oustees were able to express their problems in the public hearing on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for Kaleswaram project under packages 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Four reservoirs - Anantasagar, Ranganaiksagar, Komuravelli Mallannasagar and Kondapochamma - are coming up in the district.
“Since morning, hurdles were created for us in reaching this place. We were allowed to move from the village only after furnishing all the details to the police. Some farmers were arrested and shifted to police stations,” said one Srinivas Reddy of Vemulaghat, adding that they are not against construction of the reservoir but are only demanding the right compensation. He wondered how the environment assessment was completed within three months when it needs one year to study. The hearing was presided over by Collector P. Venkatram Reddy.
Ranga Reddy, another farmer from the same village, said that despite meeting Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, they were not offered right compensation. He said that tanks have not dried up despite drought.
“We are losing our lands and villages. This can be felt only by those losing their existence and not by others. Why don’t you offer your land for other oustees if you (other farmers) are so concerned about the project?” asked one Chandrasekhar from Etigadda Kishtapur. He wondered if the government will take care of them once the project is completed.
“We were not informed about EIA hearing. What about the sesmic activity under some packages? What are the steps taken by the government?” asked Mahipal Reddy of Etigaddakishtapur.
Narasimha Reddy from Vemulaghat wanted to know how the government is going to offer compensation for multiple crop yielding lands.
Forest land
O. Pratap Reddy of Telugu Desam Party questioned if any meetings were held in the submerging villages. Stating that about 3,000 acres of forest land is being submerged in Mallannasagar, he wanted to know whether the Ministry of Forests has accorded permission for the project.
Meanwhile, TRS leaders and elected representatives like Lok Sabha member Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, MLA S. Ramalinga Reddy, MLC Farooq Hussain, and some farmers said that the project would change the face of Telangana for better and arrest suicides of farmers. Though more than 300 persons came forward to express their opinion and even as Collector promised to hear the opinions of all, the public hearing was abruptly closed at 4 p.m. “We were assured that our voice would be heard but the hearing was closed all of a sudden. We are surprised at the attitude of the Collector,” said CPI leader Pashya Padma and social activist Sajaya.
