City Turned Miserable Under Congress Rule: KTR

BRS working president K T Rama Rao today sharply criticised the Congress-led Telangana government, alleging that in just 15 months its policies had led to a significant downturn in Hyderabad's real estate market, which had thrived during the decade-long administration of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

Addressing members of the Telangana Realtors Forum, he claimed that there was a 42% decline in Hyderabad's housing market during the third quarter of 2024, and attributed this slump to the current administration's "disastrous" policies.

He specifically pointed to the introduction of the "RR Tax" and "aggressive demolition drives" as key factors driving investors away and causing distress among residents.

KTR criticised the government's use of the Hyderabad District Revenue and Administration Authority (HYDRAA), accusing it of intimidating builders and individuals to extort money. He argued that such actions had led to a decline in market liquidity, adversely affecting the State's economic health.

The BRS leader also criticised the demolition drives conducted in Kukatpally, describing them as "insensitive and inhuman", particularly when carried out while residents were still inside their homes, and asked whether such actions would be acceptable if they had affected the families of Congress leaders.

He also condemned the government's policy requiring apartment residents to install transformers at their own expense, labelling it a "Tughlaq move" that imposed an estimated Rs 300 crore burden on Hyderabad's citizens. He questioned the rationale behind shifting governmental responsibilities onto the public, and called for the policy's immediate withdrawal.

In response to KTR's criticisms, the Congress government defended its actions, stating that measures like demolition drives and policy changes were necessary for urban development and to address illegal constructions.

However, opposition voices like KTR argue that these approaches are causing more harm than good, and urge the administration to adopt policies that promote construction and development rather than demolition and intimidation.